Palloseurablogi interviewed Matti Poikajärvi ahead of the new season

As the new Ykkönen season approaches, Palloseurablogi interviewed Rovaniemen Palloseura's chairman Matti Poikajärvi (Poikamatti) about the upcoming season, player and coaching signings, as well as the club’s broader goals and future outlook. 

Suomeksi 

What is the club’s target for this season? Is promotion even a realistic goal?

The club’s minimum goal is to secure its place in the Men’s Ykkönen and Women’s Kakkonen. For the men’s team, it is realistic to aim for a place in the upper playoff group. The women's team enters the season with a renewed coaching staff and a young lineup. The team has plenty of time to gain experience at the adult level and aim for higher positions and divisions. 

What is the realistic level for RoPS in the future? Budgets in the Veikkausliiga are already quite large.

According to RoPS’s strategy, the first teams will be competing at the second-highest national levels by 2028. We are working to ensure that the organization, on-field operations, office work, and finances are in the condition required for promotion.

The declared budgets for Men’s Ykkösliiga clubs for the 2026 season range from 310,000 € (MP) to 1,250,000 € (KTP). RoPS’s men’s first-team budget in Ykkönen for 2026 is 320,000 €. Promotion to Ykkösliiga would not significantly increase expenses compared to Ykkönen. Our travel budget is already much higher than other clubs’ budgets. We have already played in the national Ykkönen in the 2025 season. Reaching and maintaining the second-highest levels requires long-term work and growth, but the goal is realistic.

The jump from Ykkösliiga to Veikkausliiga is substantial. Media revenues and UEFA solidarity payments bring Veikkausliiga clubs around 800,000 € per year. Despite this, many Veikkausliiga companies operate chronically at a loss, covered by their owners.

Of course, our dream is for RoPS to return to the top division. But only within financial limits and with lessons learned from past mistakes. 

What is the situation regarding new player contracts? Are there financial resources for new signings?

We cannot compete in terms of salaries, and that is not why players come to RoPS. It is always about the bigger picture - facilities, coaching, housing, possible studies, military service, or part-time work alongside football. For us, it is essential that players enjoy their time and develop at RoPS and in Rovaniemi. We monitor the overall budget closely in terms of both income and expenses. The whole must align with our targets.

The latest signing, goalkeeper Dylan Berry, joined the club as a result of the head coach’s and sporting director’s scouting work. 

Why was Diogo Pinto chosen as RoPS’s head coach?

The coaching duo from the 2025 season informed us in the autumn that they would not continue in their roles for the next season. We conducted a search and contacted around ten potential coaches. We examined the top three candidates more closely and interviewed them with a five-person panel. Out of the three, Diogo Pinto emerged as the top choice, and we reached an agreement. Continuity was secured with Jari Alamäki becoming assistant coach, Ari Matinlassi continuing as goalkeeper coach, and Vilma Poutiainen as physiotherapist. For team management, figures such as Olli Tammimies, Kai Montonen, and Kari Muikku bring strong expertise. 

What are RoPS’s current strengths? Areas for development?

RoPS, as an association, is something of an oddity in the national leagues, and that is also our strength. We are genuinely a member-driven club. The community decides the direction and pace of progress. When the club feels meaningful, people want to be involved. There is development to be made in every area - on the pitch, on the sidelines, and in the office. I hope to see a good turnout at Friday’s spring meeting and supporter event. You are warmly welcome!

RoPS’s spring meeting will be held on Friday, 27 March at 18:00 at Hotel Santa Claus (Korkalonkatu 29, 96200 Rovaniemi), in the Kirnu lämpiö hall, followed by the supporter gathering at 19:30 in the same location.

The interview was conducted via email on Monday, 23 March. Many thanks to Poikamatti for the excellent cooperation and comprehensive answers. In the coming season, Palloseurablogi will once again publish match reports, photos and videos of RoPS’s home matches, along with detailed information about the club’s activities and match events - with a blue heart!

Text: M.L. & M.N.

Picture: M.N.