Tommi Laitila (born 9 March 1979) is a Finnish football coach and a former player, currently working as the executive manager of FC Lahti.
Playing career Laitila started playing football in the youth sector of his hometown club Tuusulan Palloseura (TuPS). Later he has played as a goalkeeper in a youth team of HJK Helsinki, and in the first team of Veikkausliiga club Jokerit.Maalivahti loukkaantui FC Jokerien ottelussa, MTV Oy, mtvuutiset.fi, 11 March 2002 He was also a Finnish youth international. Laitila ended his playing career in 2004 due to injuries.Entinen maalivahti on onnellinen siitä, että hän on saanut harrastuksestaan ammatin, hameenlinnankupunkiuutiset.fi, 18 August 2018Ykköseen pudonnut FinnPa pitää nykyisen nimensä, Helsingin Sanomat, 15 December 1998
Career Laitila was an assistant coach of IF Gnistan in 2007. During 2008–2009, he was the club's first team head coach.Gnistanin Laitila ei usko almuihin, Finnish FA, 29 August 2009
During 2004–2013, Laitila worked as a coaching director of the Uusimaa district of the Finnish FA. In August 2013, he was named the coaching director of FC Espoo.Valmennuspäällikkö Tommi Laitila siirtyy FC Espooseen, Finnish FA, 12 August 2013
Since 2013, he has also been serving as a goalkeeping coach of the Finland women's national football team.HJS-pomo auttaa Helmareita maalin tilkitsemisessä matkalla EM-kisoihin – ”Tilanne on hyvä ja mielenkiintoinen”, Hämeen Sanomat, 28 October 2020 He left the team after 2024.
Between August 2018 and October 2024, Laitila worked as an executive manager of Hämeenlinnan Jalkapalloseura (HJS).Hämeenlinnan Jalkapalloseuran jättävälle Tommi Laitilalle siirto Lahteen on uralla askel eteenpäin – Lahdessa Laitilan vakuutti seuran urheilustrategia, Etelä-Suomen Sanomat, 20 September 2024HJS:n jättävän Tommi Laitilan uusi seura selvisi, Hämeen Sanomat, 17 September 2024HJS:n toiminnanjohtaja vaihtuu ‒ Tommi Laitila uusiin haasteisiin kuluvan toimintakauden jälkeen, hjs.fi, 17 September 2024
On 17 September 2024, Laitila was named the executive manager of FC Lahti, starting in the position on 1 November, mainly focusing on the youth sector and the unification of the associate clubs Kuusysi and Reipas.FC Lahti ry:n toiminnanjohtaja on Tommi Laitila, fclahti.fi, 17 September 2024Tommi Laitilasta FC Lahden toiminnanjohtaja, Yle, 18 September 2024
Personal life Laitila is of White Karelian descent from Jyskyjärvi and Rukajärvi from his mother's side.
References
External links Tommi Laitila at Football Association of Finland