Keystone-ATS spoke with the Friborg president during the recent international break, before the replacement of coach Pat Emond by Lars Leuenberger. Even if the news of recent days is not mentioned, the Singaporean leader addresses subjects that matter, in particular the reasons for the departure of Christian Dubé and the good financial health of the club.
Why did you wait twelve years to replay the Spengler Cup?
“As a founding member, we were involved in the first editions of the Champions League. At the time, it was felt that it was not wise to play the Champions League and the Spengler Cup in the same season. But we have always expressed to the Davos leaders our wish to play the Spengler Cup again.”
What can the Spengler Cup bring to Freiburg?
“Our first two participations generated immense enthusiasm. Furthermore, the influence of the Spengler Cup can help us in the search for a new sponsor or in the recruitment of a foreign player.”
The Champions League was also on your program this season. Haven’t you been afraid of chasing too many hares at once?
“No. We have an expanded framework. The idea is also to give our next generation a chance. In recent seasons, Christian Dubé has integrated several young people into the first team’s training. But their playing time has remained modest. “
The departure of Christian Dubé has caused a lot of ink to flow…
“Christian Dubé deserves all our recognition for the work accomplished. I am a big fan of Christian Dubé. I appreciate his personality and his management. But we have decided to put an end to the experience of the double mandate, that of coach and sports director With Gerd Zenhäusern, we found the sports director who perfectly fits the philosophy of the club. We then decided to open a new page.
Without Christian Dubé?
“We wanted to finish the cycle with Christian Dubé. We also found common ground with Roger Rönnberg for the coaching position from the 2025/2026 season. The question then was whether we needed to work one more time. year with Christian Dubé, however, found that Gerd Zenhäusern should have informed him of his intentions earlier.”
Do the sporting turbulence experienced by the club affect its finances?
“No. Our finances are healthy. I have always said that there will not be a third “Save Gottéron”. The new ice rink gives us greater room for maneuver. We can therefore count on the support today of 640 sponsors. No other club in Switzerland has so many sponsors. In the past, the club invested above all in the first team with the hope of finally winning the title. Despite two finals, we did not succeed. .We are now back. fundamentals, that is to say developing the club as it should and placing emphasis on the next generation.”
Why does hockey do so well in Fribourg?
“In Gottéron, we have the advantage of not being in competition with a football club. The ice rink is the crossroads of the two linguistic communities of the canton, the young and the less young, the worker and the CEO. has a true family spirit that we strive to cultivate.”
