Until the 1970s, Helsinki-based HIFK was one of the most successful clubs in Finland. But it fell. He roamed the lower divisions of Finnish football and it wasn't until 2018 that he made his final promotion to the Veikkausliiga. It was not the dreamed return to the elite: economic problems took over the club and the afternoons of glory only survived in the memory of a few. Up to now. Last January, HIFK signed for its bench Joaquin Gomez (Ávila, 1986) and the story is taking a 180º turn. Despite having a rookie coach and having the lowest budget in the Finnish First Division, HIFK, which had become used to living in the shadow of a giant like HJK, is capable of competing against anyone. And that's not all: with Joaquín Gómez at the helm, the club dreams of returning to Europe 50 years later.
“I had been waiting for this season for a long time. I needed to take the step and become head coach. I am very happy to have done it in Finland”, reveals a Joaquín Gómez who fantasized about being footballers until he realized that his head was not going to the same speed as your feet. “I realized that if I wanted to be a professional it would have to be different. I started taking the coaching courses and at 19 I was already directing a Youth”. Gómez began a career in Spain, but ended up graduating abroad. At 22 years old and with limited English, the man from Avila packed his bags and went to England. The beginnings were not easy: like many other immigrants, he had to dedicate himself to the hospitality industry until he received the call that changed his life. After gaining the trust of Brighton, he began a career that has now lasted for more than 10 years.
“In Finland I have found a route to reach the elite directly”
Joaquin Gomez
In England, what he defines soccerically as “another world”, he also worked for Derby County, Luton Town and Stoke City. There he made the contacts that led him to Finland. First as Juha Malinen's assistant in the U21 team and then as Jani Honkavaara's right-hand man in SKJ. “In Finland I have found a route to reach the elite directly. In Spain or England I would have had to start with lower categories”, he discovers after confirming the presence of HIFK in the group for the Veikkausliiga championship. “The club had not been at the top for many years and getting us into Europe would be spectacular, but the season is one to be proud of,” says a Joaquín Gómez who is enthusiastic about his work: “I'm enjoying it like a little boy.” It is the award for months of work that began by making a template in record time. “When I arrived there were only five footballers on the payroll. It was like a blank canvas that I could paint as I wanted, but without money. We had to convince the players with other arguments. Our idea was to create a tangible identity and improve the image of the club.” .
Joaquín Gómez promised successes and, although the season is not over yet, he is already aware that many of his players will have the opportunity to improve their contracts next season. So he too clubs like Inter Turku or SJK have already knocked on your door. Joaquín Gómez, however, prefers to focus on finishing the season in the best possible way. He will do so by being faithful to a football in which the premise is clear: enjoy. “We are a humble team, but we try to be brave. The further away the ball is from our goal, the fewer chances they will create for us.” It is the formula with which the Avila has achieved that the club with the lowest budget of the Veikkausliiga end the first part of the season in fifth position and without bowing to anyone: in the last two days, HIFK defeated (0-2) HJK in the 'Stadin derby' and drew goalless (0-0) against a KuPS fighting for the first position.
Living in 'the happiest country in the world'
According to the World Happiness Report ranking published by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, an initiative of the United Nations, Finland is the happiest country in the world. “The test should be done in summer and at an intermediate hour in the afternoon, when people have already had a couple of beers,” jokes Joaquín Gómez before praising a country that has become his home. “In winter it is incredibly cold and you can hardly see the sun, but I suppose they take into account other things like safety or education. I have a four-year-old girl and we live very comfortable. We are in Helsinki, which is the city bigger, and we can leave the bike on the street for three days with the certainty that no one is going to take it. From here I see a playground and there are children who leave their toys there from one day to the next. These are details that Together they make Finland a spectacular country “, details the HIFK coach.
Another of the Finnish customs that Joaquín Gómez has incorporated into his daily life is the sauna. “The first time I was in Finland it coincided with the Champions League final and we went to see her in a bar. I began to see people in towels who went to the bar for a drink. I saw one, another, another … Then they told me that many bars and restaurants have built-in saunas. This is how Finns socialize. All houses and all buildings have saunas. It is where they relax, “he discovers. “In Spain, when a team meets for a drink, they go to a restaurant. Here they reserve a couple of saunas, a couple of jacuzzis and so happy. It's curious“completes a young coach who hopes to continue growing abroad.” When you have clear ideas, the important thing is to be in a place where you have decision-making capacity, “says Joaquín Gómez. The HIFK gave him the reins and the Avila made and undone as he pleased. The result? Unbeatable.