“Players need to stop whining and making excuses.” Sports director of Fribourg-Gottéron, Gerd Zenhäusern did not mince his words, Saturday evening, after the new defeat conceded by the Dragons against HC Davos (1-4) in the National League.
Beaten seven times in his first nine championship matches, Gottéron had a week with zero points. A catastrophic outcome, which tipped the club into crisis. Such a period generally does not smell good for the coach, in this case Pat Emond.
The Canadian, promoted to head coach after the dismissal of Christian Dubé at the end of last May, however seems to retain the confidence of the Friborg board. “He is the man for the job,” insisted Gerd Zenhäusern both Friday in Bern (6-3 defeat) and the next day after the setback conceded against the “Rekordmeister”.
But the Quebec technician does not have a totem of immunity either at the BCF Arena, although his situation seems somewhat protected due to the already scheduled arrival of Swedish coach Roger Rönnberg starting next season .
“We are in a very difficult period,” admitted the Dragons sporting director. I expect a lot more from the coaching staff and from certain players, starting with the leaders. It’s not normal that it’s Julien Sprunger, even though he’s 38, who puts the most intensity on the ice.”
Friday in the capital, this passive attitude also caused Reto Berra to explode. Mad with rage after yet another goal conceded, the experienced 37-year-old goalkeeper destroyed his cane before leaving the playing area on his own. Proof of the deep malaise in which Fribourg-Gottéron finds itself.
