The official announcement of the dismissal of Luca Gianinazzi and his assistants Kristen Cantoni et Kalle Kaskinen arrived this morning during a press conference. The 32-year-old technician is no longer the coach of HC Lugano. It thus pays for the poor results of the Ticino club in recent months. Following the departure of Gianinazzi, in order to do a thorough cleaning, the club also separated from its sporting director Hnat Domenichelli. Both parties decided to separate “by mutual agreement”.
Today’s training was led by Antti Törmänen. Lugano is currently looking for a new coach who will be communicated later.
Press release from HC Lugano:
Hockey Club Lugano announces that it has relieved head coach Luca Gianinazzi of the technical direction of the first team. In this emotionally difficult circumstance, the HCL company thanks Luca for the total dedication and marked professionalism with which he carried out his role during these twenty-seven months, and for having taken up the demanding challenge that was thrown at him in October 2022. He wishes him all the best for the future. Also relieved of their duties are assistants Krister Cantoni and Kalle Kaskinen, whose energy and team spirit have always been appreciated.
Words from President Vicky Mantegazza
“It’s a choice that hurts me, including on a human level. Several times during the season, it seemed to us that we had the strength to reappear. Instead, after the last defeat against Freiburg, the team did not show more courage and character and the situation rushed to the point of making this step inevitable. The whole club firmly believed that Luca could be our coach for several years. But the team has entered a black hole and a strong decision is necessary.”
Marco Werder, Managing Director, expressed himself as follows:
“During these weeks, the entire club focused all its energies and resources on supporting the technical staff. Because we were truly convinced that the support around Luca and his assistants was a unique opportunity to change the routine and the modus operandi of HCL in the face of a results crisis. However, the mental fragility of the team is all too obvious.”
At the same time, Hockey Club Lugano and current General Manager Hnat Domenichelli have decided these days, by mutual agreement, to put an end to their professional collaboration that began in the summer of 2019.
A period marked by radical changes in the panorama of the National League after the consequences, also financial, of the pandemic. The HCL thanks Hnat for the dynamism and determination with which he worked for more than five years. Domenichelli will support the club administratively until the arrival of a new manager of the sports sector, for whom the search begins immediately.
In this delicate moment, Hockey Club Lugano will be able to continue to count on the experience, sensitivity and valuable and competent support of Antti Törmänen as an advisor to the sports sector.
The words of Hnat Domenichelli
“I am calm and relieved to have been able to find a useful solution for the good of Hockey Club Lugano. It was a pleasure and an honor to be part of this club and to collaborate with all the people who helped me and to whom I wish the best possible future.
Since yesterday, the club has been working hard to bring a new head coach to Lugano and appoint his new assistants. As soon as the current negotiations are completed, an official communication will follow.
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