Jussi Markkanen is stepping down as Liiga’s sports director after three full seasons in the role, which began in August 2023. He leaves the position immediately but will continue supporting the league’s office on sports matters behind the scenes until a successor is chosen. Liiga said it will announce separately when applications open for the vacancy.
Markkanen said the time had come to move aside, adding that work on reforming the league format was in a good position and that his successor could start with a clean slate. He described his three seasons as professionally interesting, during a period of major changes in Liiga and its structures, and said he believed the league had an excellent future ahead.
Chief executive Mikko Pulkkinen will take charge of the role with support from Liiga’s management team until a new sports director is appointed. Refereeing chief Aleksi Rantala will report to Pulkkinen in the meantime. Pulkkinen said the search would take time, but the aim was to appoint a successor after the turn of the year.