Since December 28, Yorick Treille and Rikard Franzen have been the co-coaches of Genève-Servette.
Bastien Gallay
Jan Cadieux was fired from his post as coach of Genève-Servette on December 28, his assistants Yorick Treille and Rikard Franzen were promoted to head the garnet club. So much for the theory. Ten days and four matches later, how is this – atypical – collaboration going in reality? Are the two technicians really on an equal footing?
When reading the match sheet, only the name of the French coach officially appears in the “main coach” box of the GSHC. The reason, however, is simple: “Riki was not there at the start,” recalls Yorick Treille. His Swedish friend was then involved in the technical staff of the Swiss team at the U20 World Cup in Ottawa when the reorganization took place at Les Vernets.
Treille in charge of speeches
By force of circumstances, the French coach had to take matters into his own hands. And certain habits have remained, such as pre-match speeches or interventions during thirds. “It’s actually me who speaks,” he attests. It must be said that Riki was not there during the first days. So I had to take the “lead”. It’s stayed like this until now, but that can change. There are no rules about that.”
On the bench, or during the heat of the action, the roles are well determined. “I take care of the defenders and the box-play,” explains Rikard Franzen. Yorick is in charge of the attackers and the power play. Like we always did. Then, we make decisions together, based on what happens on the ice five-on-five.”
Tuesday evening, during the defeat conceded at home against Berne (2-3), the Eagles called a time out in the final moments of the game. How was the decision made?
Who, Yorick Treille or Rikard Franzen, is in charge of training? “Given the number of matches we are currently playing, there is no real training at the moment,” explains the Frenchman. Afterwards, we will really be in continuity. There will be no change.”
Bastien Gallay
“It was obvious to take the time out at that moment,” explains Yorick Treille. As we were in a 6 versus 5 situation, I was the one who gave the instructions. But if the timeout had been taken by Berne and we had had to defend 5 against 6, it was Riki who would have spoken.
The two men, who arrived at Les Vernets in 2021 (Franzen) and 2022 (Treille) respectively, recognize that their complicity and understanding helps them to understand each other quickly in such heated moments. “We have our habits and we continue to apply them in the same way,” they say in unison.
No arguing
Against the Bears, the coaching duo decided – for example – to leave Finnish goalkeeper Antti Raanta in the stands in favor of six foreign outfield players. Concretely, what is the process for putting the 22 authorized names on the match sheet?
“We do it together,” continues Rikard Franzen. We talk about each player. I have a little more responsibility when it comes to the defenders and I may have the final say on them. And vice versa for Yorick with the attackers. But we make decisions together and, if we don’t agree, we won’t argue on the subject.”
Especially since the two men are not left to their own devices within the garnet staff. Other voices and other opinions can thus intervene. “We are a whole staff, also with Mathieu Fernandes (editor’s note: goalkeeper coach and video coach) et Eric Walsky (skills coach)recalls Yorick Treille. We put everything on the table and we move forward by making a collective choice, which must be the best possible for the team.
Still, French and Swedish technicians are, for the moment, faced with a cold reality. “We’re not going to lie to ourselves: we don’t have great depth at the moment due to injuries,” smiles – yellow – Yorick Treille. We hope to be able to get everyone back and have more difficult choices to make. Because the job of coach also means making complicated decisions.”
In the immediate future, the two successors of Jan Cadieux must find the right formula so that their Eagles obtain a maximum of points in Zug (this Wednesday evening, 7:45 p.m.), in Ambri (Friday) then during the reception of Fribourg-Gottéron ( SATURDAY). Time is running out.
