Monday 15th November 2021
Success coach on the go?
DEB threatens great misfortune in happiness
German ice hockey is doing better internationally than it has been for many years. The national team has two successful, sometimes thrilling tournaments behind them. But there are worries about the architect of this success: the national coach is in demand, not only at the association.
The present is magnificent, the future questionable. Germany’s most successful team sports selection in recent years is not only looking forward to the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing in February, but also with worries about the next few months. Ice hockey national coach Toni Söderholm, who finally established the Olympic runner-up from 2018 after two thrilling World Cup tournaments with fourth place this year as the crowning glory of the world elite, could leave the DEB in 2022. Even if the national team insulted their coach after winning the Germany Cup in Krefeld on Sunday to extend his contract, which was due to expire after the World Cup in Helsinki in May, there was relatively little in favor of it at the weekend.
It seemed to have dawned on everyone involved that the 43-year-old Finn would be difficult to keep. “Of course we would like him to remain our coach,” said Germany Cup captain Marco Nowak from the Düsseldorfer EG. “But of course we also know how good he is.” And thus coveted. According to reports, Söderholm is drawn to the NHL. There he was recently allowed to sit in with the Florida Panthers and, with the approval of the DEB, even skip a national coaching course.
“I’m under no pressure”
Even if one of the coveted coaching positions in the best league in the world does not work out in the short term, a number of top European clubs are likely to take Söderholm with a kiss – including a lavish salary than the German Ice Hockey Federation. “We are pleased that Toni is in demand, and that is what sets our work apart,” said sports director Christian Künast diplomatically. Talks with the Finn should follow in the coming weeks – and at best a timely agreement. “You should decide after the Olympics at the latest,” said DEB President Franz Reindl on the sidelines of the Germany Cup.
Söderholm just smiled wearily at that. “I’m not under any pressure. It is important that we take more time than too little time. That we simply have everything in view,” said Söderholm, who wants to wait for the Olympic coaching stage. At the Winter Games in February, a new medal is presumptuous given the return of the NHL stars to the Olympics. But Germany should also appear in Beijing with the best sporting line-up of the past decades.
“Outstanding troop at the Olympics”
Top striker Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton) and goalkeeper Philipp Grubauer (Seattle) have long embodied world class, defensive talent Moritz Seider (Detroit) is well on the way there. Top-class talents such as Tim Stützle (Ottawa) or Lukas Reichel (Rockford / AHL) are sure to have their Olympic ticket, and the number of internationally good players at home also increased during the Söderholm era.
“You now have a depth in the squad that makes it incredibly difficult for the national coach,” said Nowak. Söderholm has 67 players on the Olympic list – enough for two and a half squads. The offer has not exactly decreased due to the impressive appearance in Krefeld. Although Söderholm deliberately did without a number of regulars who should have their ticket for Beijing, the Germany Cup line-up also showed what has always distinguished Söderholm’s teams for three years: team spirit and fighting spirit, courage, self-confidence and continuous performance development. “At the Olympics it will be an outstanding team, no matter who is there,” said Nowak. “We can celebrate successes there.”
The question is how things will proceed structurally afterwards. If Söderholm wants to take the next step in his career, there is a risk of a sporting step backwards.