Jussi Jääskeläinen

Jussi Albert Jääskeläinen (pronounced [ˈjussi ˈjæːskelæi̯nen]; born 19 April 1975) is a Finnish football coach and retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

Jussi Jääskeläinen
Jääskeläinen training with West Ham United in 2012
Personal information
Full name Jussi Albert Jääskeläinen[1]
Date of birth (1975-04-19) 19 April 1975
Place of birth Mikkeli, Finland
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)[2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
MP
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1992–1995 MP 64 (0)
1995–1997 VPS 54 (0)
1997–2012 Bolton Wanderers 474 (0)
2012–2015 West Ham United 57 (0)
2015–2017 Wigan Athletic 44 (0)
2017–2018 ATK 1 (0)
Total 694 (0)
National team
1998–2010 Finland 56 (0)
Teams managed
2018 Wrexham (Joint Caretaker)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

During his career, Jääskeläinen most notably represented Bolton Wanderers from 1997 until 2012, making 530 appearances across all competitions. He left Bolton for West Ham United at the end of the 2011–12 season, moving on after three seasons to Wigan Athletic on a free transfer. In his first season with Wigan, he won the League One title. He left Wigan after two seasons to join Indian club ATK, where he retired in 2018.

Jääskeläinen earned 56 caps for the Finland national team, making his debut in 1998 and retiring from international football in 2010.

Club career

Jääskeläinen was born in Mikkeli, and made his Veikkausliiga debut for MP Mikkeli in 1992, becoming the club's first choice goalkeeper in 1994. In 1996, he moved to VPS Vaasa where he spent two seasons.

Bolton Wanderers

Jääskeläinen was bought by manager Colin Todd for £100,000 for Bolton Wanderers of the Football League First Division in 1997.[3] He soon established himself as the club's first choice keeper, though a cruciate ligament injury ruled him out for half of Bolton's 2000–01 promotion season.

In October 2006 he saved two penalties in one match from Blackburn Rovers' Benni McCarthy and Jason Roberts to secure a 1–0 away win.[4] On 13 May 2007, Jääskeläinen received Bolton's "Player of the Year Award" and also the "Players' Player of the Year Award" after helping Bolton secure a UEFA Cup spot for only the second time in their history.[5] Despite much speculation linking him with a move away from Bolton when his contract expired following the 2007–08 season, Jääskeläinen agreed a new four-year contract on 11 June,[6] which he signed on 9 July.[7]

His 400th appearance came against Manchester City on 2 November 2008, with his 400th start coming six days later against Hull City.[8] In January 2009 he saved another penalty from Benni McCarthy in a match against Blackburn Rovers, now managed by his former manager Sam Allardyce, to secure a 2–2 draw.[9] After twelve years, Jääskeläinen was granted a testimonial match against Hibernian in August 2009 in which he kept a clean sheet.[10][11]

Jääskeläinen playing against Chelsea in December 2010

His 500th appearance came against Birmingham City on 12 March 2011 in an FA Cup Quarter-Final[12] and his 500th start a week later at Manchester United.

In 2012, in the Premier League 20 Seasons Awards, a double-save from Jääskeläinen against Manchester United on 20 October 2001 came third in a poll deciding the best save in the Premier League's 20-year existence.[13]

At the end of the 2011–12 season Bolton were relegated from the Premier League and Jääskeläinen rejected a two-year contract bringing an end to his 15-year stay with the club.[14] He made 530 appearances in all competitions, putting him joint third in Bolton's all-time appearance list.[15]

West Ham United

On 13 June 2012, West Ham confirmed that Jääskeläinen had agreed personal terms on a one-year deal with an option for a second year. Jääskeläinen was once again reunited with former manager Sam Allardyce, under whom he worked for eight years at Bolton Wanderers.[16] He made his debut for West Ham on 18 August 2012 in a 1–0 win against Aston Villa.[17] On 12 April 2013, the option for contract extension was activated, keeping Jääskeläinen with "the Hammers" until summer 2014.[18] He played all 38 games of West Ham's 2012–13 season, in the Premier League and was named runner-up in the Hammer of the Year.[19][20] He played 18 games in the next Premier League season before being dropped in January for Adrián.[21]

On 4 June 2014, signed a new one-year contract extension with West Ham keeping him at the club until the end of the 2014–15 season, saying "Physically I feel good and I felt good last season so I hope I can carry on from there."[21] Jääskeläinen played just one game for West Ham in the 2014–15 season, coming on for Carlton Cole after Adrián had been sent-off in a goalless draw at Southampton on 11 February 2015.[22][23] He was released at the end of the campaign.[24]

Wigan Athletic

After his release from West Ham, Jääskeläinen trialled with Bradford City.[25] On 11 August 2015, he signed a one-year deal with Wigan Athletic, newly relegated to League One.[26] Initially back-up to fellow incomer Richard O'Donnell, he made his debut on 3 October at the age of 40, keeping a clean sheet in a goalless draw with Walsall at the DW Stadium.[27]

On 31 March 2016, after his 15 clean sheets in 32 games helped Wigan onto an 18-match unbeaten run and second place in the table, he extended his contract for another season.[28] Wigan ended the season as champions.[29] Following the end of his contract at the end of the 2016–17 season, with Wigan being relegated back to League One after finishing 23rd, Jaaskelainen was one of four players to be released by Wigan.[30][31]

ATK

On 1 September 2017, 42-year old Jääskeläinen switched clubs and countries, signing for Indian Super League club ATK.[32] He made his debut three months later in a goalless draw at Jamshedpur FC.[33] On 17 January, he was released after having played as a second choice to Debjit Majumder.[34] Later reports clarified he will remain at the club as a coach, but his playing career had ended.[35]

International career
Jääskeläinen next to Andrey Arshavin in goal against Russia in 2008

Jääskeläinen made his debut for Finland on 25 March 1998 against Malta. He was Finland's second choice behind Antti Niemi for years, but after Niemi retired from international football in 2005, Jääskeläinen finally became the Finnish number one.

On 29 October 2009, Jääskeläinen announced his retirement from international football having collected 55 caps for his country. In explaining his decision Jääskeläinen stated that he hoped that it would allow him to prolong his club career.[36] However, on 6 October 2010 Jääskeläinen announced his comeback to national team in a match against Hungary as Otto Fredrikson was unable to play because of an injury but confirmed that this was just a one-off.[37]

Coaching career

In 2018 he was appointed as the goalkeeper coach at Wrexham by manager Sam Ricketts, a former team-mate at Bolton.[38] Due to the speculation over Ricketts' job, Jääskeläinen, alongside Graham Barrow and Carl Darlington, took charge of Wrexham's second round FA Cup match against Newport County on 1 December.[39] The match finished 0–0, meaning a replay would be played.[40] Two days later, the departure of Ricketts was confirmed, and Barrow was named sole caretaker manager until a replacement was found.[41] He left the club on 7 June 2019.[42]

Personal life

Jääskeläinen's eldest son Will Jääskeläinen plays for Crewe Alexandra, in the same position, having left Bolton in August 2017 without making a competitive senior appearance.[43][44]

His youngest son, Emil, plays for Kendal Town.[45]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 12 January 2017.
Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total
SeasonClubLeague AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals
Finland League Finnish Cup League Cup Europe Total
1992MP MikkeliVeikkausliiga6060
19936060
1994260260
1995260260
MP Mikkeli total 640640
1996VPS VaasaVeikkausliiga270270
1997270270
VPS Vaasa total 540540
England League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
1997–98Bolton WanderersPremier League0000000000
1998–99Division 1340105000400
1999–0036*0302000410
2000–01270000000270
2001–02Premier League340103000380
2002–03380000000380
2003–04380003000410
2004–05360400000400
2005–06380302050480
2006–07380200000400
2007–08280001060350
2008–09380101000400
2009–10380302000430
2010–11350300000380
2011–12180000000180
Bolton Wanderers total 47602101901105270
2012–13West Ham UnitedPremier League380200000400
2013–14180001000190
2014–151000100020
West Ham United total 570202000610
2015–16Wigan AthleticLeague One350000000350
2016–17 Championship90001000100
Wigan Athletic total 440001000450
2017–18 ATK Indian Super League1000000010
ATK total 1000000010
Career total 69602302201107520

* includes 2 play off matches

International
International statistics[46]
National team Year Apps Goals
Finland 199820
199920
200030
200100
200230
200360
200420
200570
200680
200790
200850
200980
201010
Total560

Honours
Wigan Athletic

National

Finland

References
  1. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Mainstream Publishing. p. 215. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  2. "Premier League Player Profile Jussi Jääskeläinen". Premier League. Barclays Premier League. 2015. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  3. Iles, Mark (2 June 2012). "Is Jussi the best Wanderers keeper of all time?". www.boltonnews.co.uk. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  4. "Blackburn 0-1 Bolton". BBC Sport. 22 October 2006. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  5. Jussi Handed Top Award Archived 8 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine – Bwfc Official Site
  6. "Jussi agrees Bolton deal". Sky Sports. 11 June 2008. Retrieved 11 June 2008.
  7. "Bolton duo sign new deals". Sky Sports. 9 July 2008. Retrieved 9 July 2008.
  8. "Gardner rarity helps Bolton dig out a long-overdue three points". www.guardian.co.uk. 2 November 2008. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  9. "Blackburn 2-2 Bolton". BBC Sport. 28 January 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  10. Jussi Granted Testimonial Archived 10 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine – BWFC Official Site
  11. Jaaskelainen lines up testimonial, BBC Sport, 6 May 2009.
  12. "Premier League Player Profile". Bolton Wanderers. Archived from the original on 30 September 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  13. "Sunderland's Gordon wins Best Save Award". Premier League. 11 May 2012. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  14. Iles, Marc (30 May 2012). "Jaaskelainen quits Wanderers". Bolton News. Bolton.
  15. "Norwich v Bolton". Goal.com. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  16. "Jussi agrees terms". whufc.com. Archived from the original on 13 June 2012. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  17. "West Ham 1 – 0 Aston Vila". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  18. "Jaaskelainen triggers one-year extension at West Ham". Www.goal.com. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  19. "Soccerbase". Www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  20. "Reid crowned Hammer of the Year". Www.whufc.com. Archived from the original on 11 May 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  21. "Jussi Jaaskelainen: West Ham goalkeeper signs new contract". BBC Sport. 4 June 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  22. "Southampton 0-0 West Ham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  23. "J Jaaselainen". Socccerway. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  24. "Hammers confirm retained list". www.whufc.com. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  25. Parker, Simon (11 August 2015). "Former Bantam trialist Jaaskelainen signs for Wigan". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
  26. "Jussi Jaaskelainen signs one-year Wigan deal". Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  27. Seddon, Nick (3 October 2015). "Latics collect hard earned point after Morgan is harshly dismissed". Wigan Athletic F.C. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
  28. "Jussi Jaaskelainen: Wigan Athletic goalkeeper extends stay until summer 2017". BBC Sport. 1 April 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  29. "League One Review: Barnsley seal play-off spot by stunning Wigan, Burton go up and Blackpool go down". FourFourTwo. 8 May 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  30. "Wigan Athletic: Captain Stephen Warnock among four to be released". BBC Sport. 17 May 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  31. "Former Bolton and West Ham goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen has retired". FourFourTwo. 8 June 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  32. "ATK sign Finland goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen". Indian Express. 1 September 2017. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
  33. "Jamshedpur play another goalless draw, this time against ATK". The Times of India. 1 December 2017. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  34. "ISL 2017-18: ATK release Njazi Kuqi, Jussi Jaaskelainen and Augustin Fernandes, sign replacements". Goal. 17 January 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  35. "Bolton legend Jussi Jaaskelainen retires from playing duties". Indian Express. 20 January 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  36. Jussi Calls Time On International Career Archived 1 November 2009 at the Wayback Machine – Bwfc Official Site
  37. Call up was a one off – Jussi – Bolton News
  38. "Wrexham A.F.C. Staff Profiles". Wrexham A.F.C. 7 August 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  39. "STATEMENT - First Team Manager Speculation". www.wrexhamafc.co.uk. 1 December 2018.
  40. "REPORT - WREXHAM 0 - 0 NEWPORT COUNTY". Wrexham A.F.C. 1 December 2018.
  41. "STATEMENT - Sam Ricketts Departs Wrexham AFC". Wrexham A.F.C. 3 December 2018.
  42. "Jussi Jaaskelainen: Former Bolton goalkeeper leaves Wrexham role". BBC Sport. 7 June 2019.
  43. Pye, William (26 November 2013). "Jaaskelainen Junior helps Bolton Wanderers U18s stop the rot". The Bolton News. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  44. "Will Jaaskelainen: Crewe sign goalkeeper on one-year deal after release from Bolton". BBC Sport. 15 August 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  45. [https://twitter.com/kendaltownfc/status/1218284171359145987?s=20 Kendal Town F.C.'s official Twitter account, 18 January 2020
  46. "Jussi Jääskeläinen". EU-Football. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  47. "Finland-Norway|Line-ups|". Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  48. "Tournament table". Retrieved 6 December 2020.
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