1/7
After almost four years, Rikard Grönborg has to say goodbye to Zurich.
Dino KesslerHead of Ice Hockey Department
Mr. Grönborg, third place, the best defence, the fewest goals conceded and, behind Geneva, the best point average in the league in the 2022 calendar year. And you will be released. Were you shocked?
Rikard Gronborg: I was first surprised and then disappointed. There are two ways of interpreting this: the analytical, logical way and the emotional way. My analytical side tells me: I was hired to make this organization better, to help the team improve over a period of time. When I came to Zurich, there was quite a bit of unrest here, they had just missed the playoffs. In the first year we were the best team in the league, but unfortunately the playoffs fell through due to the pandemic. The emotional part? It’s hard to have to go now, I’m very connected to this team. The team has the quality for the title and it will reach its peak in the last third of the season.
Do you think the dismissal has anything to do with last season’s dramatically lost final?
We were missing a win. But it’s not my job to speculate about the reason for the dismissal. Those responsible were convinced that they were making the best decision for the organization, and I have to respect that. When you get a job, you get paid to do your best while you’re there. I did that.
“Look at the most successful organizations worldwide, they usually rely on the same people for a long time.”Rikard Gronborg
After the change, there were voices from the team that complained about the way they communicated. Captain Geering said: “We wanted it to be said if you played badly and there were consequences.”
I haven’t heard of that yet, but if that’s the case, I have to accept it. Many of these players have ZSC blood in their veins, so there’s a lot of passion involved.
There were also rumors of tension between you and sporting director Sven Leuenberger.
We are both professionals, I was employed as a trainer and gave my opinion as a trainer, Sven is the head of sport and represents his opinion as head of sport. Even if we didn’t always share the same views, it was productive and we dealt with each other with respect.
You don’t think this relationship had a negative impact on your job or the team?
I think it speaks for a healthy culture of discussion if different opinions can be reconciled in different situations.
ZSC several weeks without Christian Marti
The ZSC Lions will have to do without Christian Marti until further notice. The national defender injured his upper body in training. The exact nature of the injury is not known. However, the people of Zurich announce that Marti will be absent for “several weeks”. (SDA)
The ZSC Lions will have to do without Christian Marti until further notice. The national defender injured his upper body in training. The exact nature of the injury is not known. However, the people of Zurich announce that Marti will be absent for “several weeks”. (SDA)
The ZSC Lions feed one of the largest youth departments in Europe, but only a few find their way into the National League. Were you explicitly asked to integrate young people?
There are already many own players in this team. There have probably not been many of them lately, but there were also the rules of the pandemic, so it wasn’t so easy to move players between different teams. In the near future, however, the situation will change, and some who have the tools will follow.
Is winning the title in Switzerland given too much importance? In Sweden young players are used much earlier, in Switzerland they want planning security.
It all starts with a direction, a philosophy lived from bottom to top. Then you need continuity and the belief that you are doing the right thing. Look at the most successful organizations worldwide, they mostly rely on the same people for a long time.
How important is it to pursue an identity, a specific idea of how you want to play?
Very important. You trust that you have the right idea, regardless of short-term success. Success at the highest level means being among the best over the long term, but it doesn’t necessarily mean winning a title every year. Zug has won two titles in a row, which is admirable, but actually illogical in a league with this balance.
You will be replaced in Zurich by Marc Crawford – two quite different types of coaches. Where can you still see a trace of club philosophy in this step?
It’s not my job to comment on the ZSC Lions’ decision. Basically, I believe in the principle of consistency.
“In Sweden, the second division is pretty attractive, nobody has a problem playing there.”Rikard Gronborg
In Switzerland, the Swiss League, the substructure of the National League, is being scrapped. Can this go well?
The leagues need to work together, a harmonious construct. In Sweden, the second division is pretty attractive, nobody has a problem playing there. But in Sweden there are also other rules, no powerful owners who decide alone. The members hold at least 51 percent and thus determine how the clubs are run and where the journey should go.
Do foreigners play too important a role in Switzerland?
I never thought about that. In Sweden there is no restriction, but that was never an issue in Sweden either. Swiss ice hockey should have the will to produce more youngsters.
Rikard Gronborg personally
Rikard Grönborg was born on March 8, 1968 in Huddinge (Stockholm). Married to Dawnie (37), father of Chloe (10) and Grace (4). Has both the Swedish and the American passport, has university degrees in journalism (Bachelor) and leadership (Master) from the University of St. Cloud (Minnesota). World champion (2017, 2018) with Sweden, with the ZSC Lions as head coach from summer 2019 to December 28, 2022.
Rikard Grönborg was born on March 8, 1968 in Huddinge (Stockholm). Married to Dawnie (37), father of Chloe (10) and Grace (4). Has both the Swedish and the American passport, has university degrees in journalism (Bachelor) and leadership (Master) from the University of St. Cloud (Minnesota). World champion (2017, 2018) with Sweden, with the ZSC Lions as head coach from summer 2019 to December 28, 2022.
How?
I don’t know that. Finland has no more inhabitants than Switzerland, but it has more ice hockey players. But in Finland, ice hockey is also the undisputed national sport.
What are you going to do in the near future?
Switch off and go to Zermatt with the family.
Will you continue to follow Swiss ice hockey?
Maybe not in the next few days. But I believe that the ZSC Lions are the strongest team in the league and will win the title. That would make me happy, for the players, for the staff and also for the many fans. When we lost the title in game seven last year, the fans in Zurich still rewarded us with a fantastic reception.
Why do you think the Lions are the strongest team?
I have to know it. You see, the hardest work is done, for example there are only seven away games left. The months before and during the move to the new stadium were sometimes very exhausting, but we got through it very well. I believe they can do it.
National League 22/23
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