Reijo Jylhä surprisingly returning to the ski team coaching staff for the Olympic season – 'Negotiations have taken place'

Ville Maunuksela unexpectedly received his marching orders from the position of head coach of the women’s national team. The Finnish Ski Federation had begun persuading Reijo Jylhä to return to the Olympic team long before Maunuksela learned about his fate.

Reijo Jylhä thought he had definitively left the Ski Federation coaching roles behind in spring 2018 when the team celebrated Iivo Niskanen’s Olympic gold in the 50 kilometers at Pyeongchang. Now, this old warhorse is set to return as the national team coach for one more season. Photo: Jarno Kuusinen / All Over Press

The Finnish Ski Federation has unearthed a true ace from its sleeve, as it recruits someone with a wealth of experience like Reijo Jylhä to take the helm as the women's group coach following Ville Maunuksela’s recent termination.

– Negotiations have been held, but no contract has been signed yet, Jylhä commented to Yle Sports on Tuesday from Ylläs.

The Federation’s interest in Jylhä, 64, is surprising as he was thought to have closed the door of the Ski Federation for the final time back in spring 2018 when the team celebrated Iivo Niskanen's Olympic gold in the 50 kilometers.