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HIGH-PERFORMANCE FOOTBALL COACHING
UNMATCHED LOVE FOR PEOPLE, GAME AND CULTURE
WHO
Jani Sarajärvi (b. 1979) is a Finnish-born professional football coach who is currently working as a Head of Youth National Teams & U21 Head Coach at Estonian FA.
Sarajärvi, a former pro player, has previously held head or assistant coaching positions in four continents, both in the premier club level and national team settings. As a researcher-PhD student at the University of Lisbon, one of the most prestigious academic football institutions in the world, he is a highly motivated student of the beautiful game.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Head of Youth National Teams & U21 Head Coach.
2025-
Estonian FA
Assisting the Head Coach of Mali men's national team, participating in strategic and training planning as well as opponent analysis.
2024-2025
Mali Men's National Football Team
Assisting the Head Coach of Philippines men's national team, participating in strategic and training planning as well as opponent analysis.
2024
Philippines Men's National Football Team
FC Nõmme United's Head Coach, leading the team in Estonia's premier football division (Meistriliiga). Focuses on driving strategic gameplay and enhancing player performance and development.
2024
FC Nõmme United, A. Le Coq Premium League, Estonia
Assistant to the Head Coach for Gambia's men's national football team, specializing in comprehensive training support. Expert in analyzing and reporting on opponents, as well as conducting live analysis of team performances.
2021–2024
Gambia Men's National Football Team
Assistant to the Head Coach at Independiente del Valle B, engaged in strategic planning, methodology, and designing training programs. Actively leads training sessions and contributes to enhancing team performance.
2020–
Independiente del Valle B, Ecuador
Assistant to the Head Coach for HJK, participating in the development of strategic approaches and training methodologies. Spearheads training initiatives and plays a key role in elevating player performance in Finland's Premier League.
2019–
HJK, Finnish Premier League, Finland
Deputy to the Head Coach at VPS, focusing on tactical planning and training framework. Leads hands-on training sessions and drives performance improvements, contributing to VPS's success in Finland's top football division.
2016–2017
VPS, Finnish Premier League, Finland
Head Coach of FC YPA's first team in Finland's third-tier league, coupled with a role as Junior Development Coach for the club's youth talent. Focuses on leading the senior team while nurturing and developing the skills of upcoming young players.
2013–2014,
2011
FC YPA, Finnish 3rd Tier, Finland
TOP ACHIEVEMENTS
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Helped The Gambia to back-to-back AFCON appearances in 2021 and 2023—the first in the nation's history.
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6th place at AFCON 2021.
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Help qualify Mali for AFCON 2025.
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Upcoming: AFCON 2025 with Mali.
UEFA Europa League qualifications 2nd round with the Finnish Premier League club VPS.
Champion of Copa Libertadores U20 with Independiente del Valle, as a first ever Ecuadorian team.
FC YPA’s most successful head coach ever. The team gained +90% & +107% more points during respective two years in reign in the Finnish third tier compared to the season before his employment.
KEY SKILLS
Elevating team and individual performance through strategic coaching. Expertise in enhancing organizational dynamics and personal skillsets.
High-Performance Coaching
A seasoned coach with a track record of mentoring youth and adult national team players from diverse backgrounds, including Gambia, Ecuador, Finland, and Estonia.
Global Player Development
Proven leader of professional teams in Europe, South America, and Africa. Expert in intercultural communication and leading research in PhD studies.
Leadership & Communication
CREDENTIALS & PERSONAL LIFE
ORIGIN
Jani Sarajärvi grew up in Koillismaa, a rural region of northern Finland, spending the first 13 years of his life living in a small village surrounded by forests, lakes, animals and hills but no real football teams. Since then, he has mastered the game, seen the world, learnt languages and understood different cultures while living, working and coaching in multiple countries around Africa, Europe and South America.
ACADEMICS
Jani Sarajärvi is currently advancing his expertise as a researcher-PhD student at the University of Lisbon, renowned for being a leading academic institution in football studies. His research delves into the realms of high-performance football coaching, skill acquisition, and leadership.
His academic journey in the field was enriched by completing a specialized High-Performance Football Coaching course at the same university in 2016, under the tutelage of esteemed figures like José Mourinho and Pedro Caixinha.
Sarajärvi also holds a master's degree in sport sciences from the University of Jyväskylä, which is acclaimed as one of Finland's premier universities.
Complementing his academic credentials, he possesses a UEFA A coaching license, equipping him with a comprehensive skill set for advanced coaching and tactical management in football.
SELECTED LIST OF COACHES COLLABORATED WITH
SELECTED LIST OF PLAYERS COACHED
COACHING, LECTURING & CONSULTING
COACH
As a coach Jani provides on-site expertise to clubs, associations or organizations over designated timeframe. This framed approach addresses the demand for specialized, intensive coaching, delivered within the client’s own setting, ensuring immediate impact and sustainable growth.
LECTURER
As a lecturer Jani delves into critical subjects such as football coaching, skill learning and the development of players and coaches. Grounded in cutting-edge scientific research and enriched by Jani's expansive experience in elite and youth football across three continents, these sessions are designed to meet the ongoing educational demands of football organizations. They focus on empowering attendees with strategies for skill learning and advanced coaching methodologies.
PROJECT PROGRESSÃO
As the leading figure in the Progressão initiative, alongside renowned football coach Jussi-Pekka Savolainen, Jani is at the forefront of nurturing a holistic and high-level football culture.
Project Progressão, which includes an upcoming book and a popular weekly podcast launched in spring 2022, explores diverse facets of the sport: The nature of the game of football, the relationship between humans and the environment and becoming skilled in playing or coaching football.
CONSULTANT
As a consultant Jani is highly dedicated to developing his client’s operations. This involves modernizing educational programs as well as designing and implementing innovative training and coaching strategies. The tailored consultancy service is responding for the need to improve the performance of organizations and develop their strategy and coaching methods.