Vesa Vasara Explained

Vesa Vasara
Fullname:	Vesa-Pekka Vasara
Birth Date:	1976 8, df=yes
Birth Place:	Helsinki, Finland
Height:	1.78m (05.84feet)
Currentclub:	Inter Turku (manager)
Position:	Winger
Youthclubs1:	MPS
Years1:	1992–1993
Years2:	1994–2000
Years3:	2001
Years4:	2002–2003
Years5:	2004–2005
Years6:	2006–2008
Clubs1:	MPS
Clubs2:	HJK
Clubs3:	Jokerit
Clubs4:	Kalmar FF
Clubs5:	Jaro
Clubs6:	Honka
Caps1:	30
Caps2:	136
Caps3:	29
Caps4:	32
Caps5:	24
Caps6:	59
Goals1:	5
Goals2:	17
Goals3:	0
Goals4:	2
Goals5:	4
Goals6:	8
Nationalteam1:	Finland U21
Nationalcaps1:	11
Nationalgoals1:	2
Nationalyears2:	1999–2002
Nationalteam2:	Finland
Nationalcaps2:	12
Nationalgoals2:	2
Manageryears1:	2009–2011
Manageryears2:	2012–2013
Manageryears3:	2014–2016
Manageryears4:	2017–2023
Manageryears5:	2024–
Managerclubs1:	Honka II
Managerclubs2:	Honka (assistant)
Managerclubs3:	HJK (assistant)
Managerclubs4:	Honka
Managerclubs5:	Inter Turku

Vesa-Pekka Vasara (born 16 August 1976) is a Finnish professional football manager for Veikkausliiga club Inter Turku, and a former player who played for the Veikkausliiga sides HJK Helsinki, FC Jokerit, FF Jaro, and FC Honka, as well as for Kalmar FF in Sweden. He was also capped 12 times for the Finland national team, scoring twice.

Playing career

Vasara started his career with Malmin Palloseura (MPS) in Malmi, North Helsinki, before joining Vantaan Pallo in 1994.

On 26 August 1998, Vasara scored a goal for HJK Helsinki against Metz, in the 2nd leg of the UEFA Champions League play-off round, helping his team to get a 1–1 away draw (2–1 on aggregate) and qualify to the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, as the first-ever Finnish club.^[1] Vasara ultimately spent six seasons with HJK.

Later he played for Kalmar FF in Swedish Allsvenskan, and for Jokerit, Jaro and Honka in Veikkausliiga.

Managerial career

Vasara was selected as the Veikkausliiga Manager of the Month for June 2018 while managing Veikkausliiga side Honka.^[2] Vasara worked as a manager of Honka for seven seasons, until Honka was declared for bankruptcy at the end of the 2023, and he was released.

Vasara was subsequently named the manager of a fellow Veikkausliiga side Inter Turku, signing a two-year deal with the club, starting in 2024.^[3] ^[4] ^[5]

Personal life

His brother Jussi Vasara is also a former professional footballer.^[6]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club	Season	League			Europe		Total
Club	Season	Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
MPS	1992	Kolmonen
	1993	Kakkonen
	Total		30	5	0	0	30	5
Vantaan Pallo	1994	Kakkonen	7	5	–		7	5
HJK	1995	Veikkausliiga	24	2	4	0	28	2
	1996	Veikkausliiga	23	1	3	1	26	2
	1997	Veikkausliiga	25	5	2	0	27	5
	1998	Veikkausliiga	23	2	6	1	29	3
	1999	Veikkausliiga	25	6	4	0	29	6
	2000	Veikkausliiga	16	1	1	0	17	1
	Total		136	17	20	2	156	19
Jokerit	2001	Veikkausliiga	29	0	2	0	31	0
Kalmar FF	2002	Allsvenskan	15	0	–		15	0
	2003	Allsvenskan	17	2	–		17	2
	Total		32	2	0	0	32	2
Jaro	2004	Veikkausliiga	24	4	–		24	4
Honka	2005	Ykkönen	22	2	–		22	2
	2006	Veikkausliiga	23	5	–		23	5
	2007	Veikkausliiga	14	1	–		14	1
	Total		59	8	0	0	59	8
Career total			315	35	22	2	337	37