Fribourg-Gottéron is taking part in the Spengler Cup for the third time. For President Hubert Waeber, it is an affair of the heart, but also a valuable showcase for the club.
26.12.2024, 12:02
26.12.2024, 14:12
SDA
Hubert Waeber met with Keystone-SDA during the national team break and thus before the change of coach from Pat Emond to Lars Leuenberger. In the interview, the entrepreneur from the German-speaking Sense district talks about the traditional tournament, his club's large fan base, the somewhat unpleasant parting of ways with head coach Christian Dubé and the challenges facing Swiss ice hockey.
Fribourg-Gottéron has only been to the Spengler Cup twice, in 1992 and 2012, and was quite successful when it reached the semi-finals in 2012. Why did it take twelve years until the next time?
"Back then, as a founding member, we were seeded for the Champions League every year. That's why the sports department thought it was too much of a burden. We on the Board of Directors and the management always said we wanted to go again. We were always in contact with the people in charge, even when Ambri was there."
How does something like this work? Does someone from the Spengler Cup approach the club and ask if they're interested?
"A few years ago, we said that once we had the new ice rink and had made some progress in terms of sport and budget, we would like to come back. Then they quickly approached us and said they would love to have us back. It was clear to us that we wanted to take the players' families with us and offer them a program. Then we asked the coaches and players and they were delighted."
What does such participation bring to the club?
"Last time, there was a huge buzz up there all week. It's about Fribourg-Gottéron becoming better known internationally again. With the tournament's charisma, it helps at all levels, for example when you're looking for sponsors again or want to attract players from abroad."
Fribourg has struggled in the championship so far this season and has had a double burden with the Champions League. Could participation in the Spengler Cup also be a threat?
"No, I don't see that as a threat at all. It was always clear that you have to have a broader squad. But it also forces the coaches to use more young players and juniors. In the last two or three seasons under Christian Dubé, they have always trained with the team and occasionally played, but only for a few minutes."
Dubé is a sensitive topic in Fribourg. He has had a big influence on the club in recent years.
"Absolutely, yes."
Not everyone understood that he had to leave.
"We are very grateful to Dubé for what he has done for us. I'm a small, no, a big Dubé fan. I like him and his manner very much. But then we decided to end the dual mandate (Dubé was head of sport and head coach until last season) and appoint a new head of sport. With his ideas, Gerd Zenhäusern (previously Dubé's assistant) fitted in perfectly with the philosophy we had discussed in the Board of Directors and how we see the future, namely with the youngsters. Then we said that we wanted to start a new cycle."
In which Dubé no longer fitted in?
"The goal was actually to finish the cycle with Dubé. Then suddenly (Roger) Rönnberg (coach of Frölunda Göteborg) was on the table. When we got together with him, it was a perfect fit from A to Z. He said that he didn't even want to look at other offers because he felt that the head of sport, the CEO and the board of directors were all talking the same way and all wanted the same thing. When it became clear that Rönnberg would only be able to come in a year's time, the question was really only: do we do another year with Dubé or do we do a real transition year. Dubé then thought that Gerd (Zenhäusern) should have shared his thoughts with him earlier. But Gerd had to work out different options."
Was it an issue to get Rönnberg out of his contract with Frölunda as early as this season or would that have been too expensive?
"No, he's such a guy of integrity. It was clear to him that if Frölunda let him go, he would come immediately, otherwise he would fulfill his contract."
There was a time when Gottéron was often close to the abyss financially. How are things today?
"Very healthy. I've always said that there can't be a third 'Sauvez Gottéron'. The cornerstone had to be a new infrastructure that offers more opportunities. In the past, we lived partly from hand to mouth. For a while, they invested everything in the first team because they were desperate to win that coveted first title. You can't criticize that, the CEO at the time, Raphaël Berger, worked 60 or 70 hours, there were a lot of volunteers, but they didn't invest more in their own juniors. We were in the final twice, but it didn't quite work out. Then we had to get back to basics, make the club more professional and get the finances healthy. It was always clear that the new hall would be the ignition point. That also worked out."
Despite corona.
"There were 50% spectators at the opening, then none for a year. Like the other clubs, that set us back two or three years. Nevertheless, we were able to repay all Covid debts at the end of last year and also make the amortizations. The club itself invested around 10 million in the installation of the new hall. We have been investing in the junior movement for a long time, currently 2.8 million Swiss francs, and we have gradually been able to invest more in the first team again. Last year we made a nice profit, which is important in order to increase equity again. The catering facilities are bursting at the seams, we have 640 sponsors. I don't think there's a club in Switzerland that has so many sponsors, not in terms of the amount, but the number. We can't get much more than that."
Why does field hockey work so well in Fribourg?
"At Gottéron, we certainly have the advantage that we don't have a football team playing at the top. The games are a meeting of German and French, young and old, from the little employees to the general manager. We are all one family here. We try to cultivate that."
You mentioned the high wage costs. Where do you see Swiss field hockey in general?
"Not good at the moment. Many youngsters who want to progress are going to Sweden or across the pond. We have a responsibility and we have to tackle that now. We now have to help the Swiss League and strengthen it. But first they have to find each other and create a concept. I can imagine, for example, that we give the young players away for free or at a fixed rate. But then they also have to play. They can't just be used on the fourth line."
Is there the necessary solidarity in the National League?
"I think it's at least been recognized that we won't get anywhere with selfishness. We have to think about the Swiss field hockey family, about the national team. For that, we need a good National League and a good Swiss League."
The clubs in the National League are doing well, the others are struggling. One problem is the 14-team league. Is this no longer negotiable?
"Without corona, we would still have twelve teams. It's clear to me: there has to be one promoted or relegated team. You have to forget about a closed league now. It's not interesting enough for the bottom teams in the National League if there's nothing at stake towards the end of the season. But first we have to find a concept for the Swiss League again."
Another issue is the association. The National League in particular wanted a president with a stronger presence, but now Stefan Schärer has had to leave after just 15 months.
"Yes, it's not easy. I said, give him a bit more time. They wanted someone who could bring in a bit more drive because they felt the association was sluggish. But then the CEO left, and of course it's not acceptable for a president to permanently intervene in operations. That's not possible either. Now we are confident that things will improve again."
