Greg Ireland loves adversity. At HC Ajoie, he will have some.
Imago
“Good morning!” A radiant Greg Ireland answered our call in French on Thursday, before quickly switching back to his native English. “I studied French at school a long time ago and I look forward to improving by learning words typical of the region,” slips the new coach of HC Ajoie.
The Canadian was appointed on November 1 by sporting director Julien Vauclair, who was his former player at Lugano. Arriving in Porrentruy on Tuesday, Greg Ireland (59) led his first training session this Thursday. Interview.
How can you explain your coming to HC Ajoie?
I have known Julien Vauclair for a long time. I woke up one morning and had a message from him asking if I was available for a chat. I didn’t even know he fired his coach at that point. This conversation took place, unless I am mistaken, two or three days after the departure of my predecessor. I wanted to come back to Switzerland and coach in a French-speaking environment once in my career. I ended up accepting because this challenge excites me.
Despite this very short contract which only lasts until the end of the season?
It’s funny you say that to me because for me, security isn’t necessarily exciting. We spoke with my wife and she told me that this short contract might be a good thing to see if I liked the place and the club. I’m at a stage in my career where I no longer worry about the length of my contracts. I’ve turned down offers in the past because I want to work with like-minded people and I’m looking for challenges that suit me.
Like the one proposed by HC Ajoie?
It’s a big challenge and it excites me. I like adversity. I know I will be able to use my past experiences. Just like the very good work done by Julien Vauclair and his staff during the last matches.
In this staff, you find another old acquaintance in the person of Petteri Nummelin, who was your player at Lugano in 2009-2010.
It’s unexpected to see each other again in Porrentruy 13 years later (laughs). That’s the beauty of hockey: meeting good people and having the opportunity to work with them again years later. Over the last two days, we’ve had a lot of time to talk and we’re on the same page.
You have the reputation of a tough coach, who demands total involvement from his players. Sometimes this leads to altercations, like with Damien Brunner in Lugano. Do you confirm?
(He laughs). In the past, I have been very emotional. I am indeed demanding, but I don’t like altercations. I care a lot about my players and I prefer when things are resolved through communication.
“In the past I have been very emotional. I am indeed demanding, but I don’t like altercations”
According to his wife, it was in Lugano that Greg Ireland forged his best relationship with the public.
Michela Locatelli/freshfocus
Ajoie supporters are also emotional. Is this the reason they will love you?
I hope! My wife says it was in Lugano that I had the best connection with the fans. The fans loved my passion and my energy. I sometimes have to learn to use that wisely, but I’m like that because I love my job.
What style of play would you like to implement in the coming weeks?
The most important thing is to create the identity of a team that has a very strong work ethic, that respects the system and that is able to adapt. In summary, HC Ajoie must become a very difficult team to face.
Do you have the players needed to do it?
All teams are able to implement this at this level. It’s about getting players to buy into that vision. I had the impression that was the case this Thursday during the first training session.
