Anne Mäkinen

Anne Maarit Mäkinen (born 1 February 1976) is a Finnish football manager and former footballer making 188 appearances for the Finland national team. She was a central midfielder.

Career

Mäkinen was the first Finnish player to play in the WUSA, and played collegiately at the University of Notre Dame. Mäkinen played for Washington Freedom, Philadelphia Charge and New Jersey Wildcats. While with Notre Dame, she was the Rookie of the Year in 1997 and the most valuable player in 2000, and was selected to the All Stars of university soccer four years in a row. In December 2004, Mäkinen joined Swedish Umeå IK. With Umeå IK, she twice won the Swedish top league, Damallsvenskan, in 2005 and 2006. Mäkinen then played for Bälinge IF and AIK.

Following her debut in June 1991, Mäkinen represented Finland a record 118 times, with 16 goals as of her retirement in 2009. In 2005, Mäkinen vice-captained Finland to the bronze medals in the European Championship finals, which stands as her nations's best achievement in this sport. She was awarded the Golden Player award for best player of the tournament.

Mäkinen's playing style was very powerful. She was skillful with the ball, and dictated the run of her team's play from central midfield with her effective tackling and telling passes.

Mäkinen's soccer jersey number was retired in 2011 at the IMG Soccer Academy where she trained in her early years, often competing against male players for a challenge.

In 2017, Mäkinen was appointed physio coach of Finland women's national team. Mäkinen was appointed sports director for her former club as active, AIK, after the 2019 season. Before the 2021 season, her role was changed to manager. In May 2022, she was replaced as manager for AIK by Jesper Björk after six straight losses, including a Tvillingderbyt against Djurgården.

References

External links

• UEFA profile
• Notre Dame player profile
• Profile at Women's United Soccer Association