Aki Hyryläinen
Humanist of the day

Aki Hyryläinen

A career in professional football shaped the progress of Aki Hyryläinen’s history studies. Today the Vice President of Mercuri Urval is proud of his Master’s degree from the University of Helsinki. Studies in the humanities and his experiences as a competitive sportsman have become significant advantages in his managerial and consultancy work.

Aki Hyryläinen

Aki-Mikael Hyryläinen
Born April 17, 1968, Helsinki

Master of Arts (Finnish and Nordic History), University of Helsinki

Vice President, Mercuri Urval, 2012-
Senior Consultant, Mercuri Urval, 2006–2012

Professional Footballer, HJK (FIN), Eendracht Aalst (BEL), FC Köbenhavn (DK) and FC Jokerit (FIN), 1988–2001

Football Coach: Kirkkonummen Salamat FCK, 2002–2004 (First team), HJK A-cubs, 2005–2007, HJK league team, autumn 2007. Helsingin poikien piirijoukkue (‘Helsinki boys’ area team’), 2006–2007 and 2011.

Board Member, HJK Ry, 2001-, Vice-chair, 2003–2013
Board Member, HJK Oy, 2009-
Executive Board Member, Santahamina Lower Secondary School, 2013-

Special Achievements
Finnish Champions, HJK, 1990 and 1992
Finnish Cup Winner, HJK, 1993 and 1996, and FC Jokerit, 1999
League Cup Champions, HJK, 1994 and 1996
Finnish Championships, Silver Medal, FC Jokerit, 2000
Finnish Championships, Bronze Medal, HJK, 1993, 1994 and 1995
Danish Cup Winner, FC Köbenhavn, 1997
Twenty-five caps for the Finnish national football team, 1992–1997
Helsinki Football Club: Hall of Fame players’ choice, 2005
Coach: twice A-cubs Finnish Championships (2005 and 2006) and one silver, HJK, 2007
Youth Coach of the Year, Suomen Jalkapallovalmentajat ry, 2006
Youth Coach of the Year, Suomen Palloliitto, Helsinki district, 2006

Written by Riitta-Ilona Hurmerinta
Translated by John Calton

Aki Hyryläinen had a long career in football, mostly with the Helsinki Football Club (HJK). He played 25 caps for the Finnish national team, one season in Belgium, three seasons in Denmark, and two seasons in Finland with FC Jokerit. There are constant demands placed on the life of a professional athlete. The work is very determined and goal-oriented.

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Coincidence led Aki Hyryläinen to work for Mercuri Urval. He applied for a job in an investment and financial management company and the recruitment was handled by Mercuri Urval. – In the interview I was surprised to be greeted by a recruitment consultant who was a former ice hockey coach. During the interview he told me about his own work at Mercuri Urval and explained what kind of work they did as consultants. And after ten diverse and eventful years, I can easily say that it was not a mistake to say ‘yes’ to his proposal.

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The way my studies dragged out because of the football career was a heavy weight to bear, but I did get encouragement from the history department. I still remember Panu Pulma’s advice: “Professional football is age-related. Be a sportsman now for heaven’s sake, while you’re winning. You’ll find time to graduate later on.”

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