Kloten chairman Jan Schibli about the sports crisis and the pressure to save: “It is a dance on the edge”

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Blick: Can coach Larry Mitchell lose the Zurich derby twice more this weekend?
Jan Schibli: A good question, but also a suggestive question. I take my time when selecting trainers. It must fit. The conversations are ongoing.

Haven’t the last few performances reinforced the need for action?
Not necessary. This may sound stupid, but there was also noticeable progress. Against Langnau, a third was simply unacceptable. But this is a mental problem. That is why we hired a mental trainer, because it is clear on the bank that action is needed in this area.

And can a mental coach help in the middle of a crisis?
I’m convinced of that. We have experienced players who don’t perform well on the ice. Who are completely desperate and scared after a blow in the neck. We have to address that.

If Larry Mitchell is replaced as coach sooner or later, will his personality as an athletic director be called into question?
No. Because our current situation is not just Larry Mitchell’s fault, it’s the entire team’s fault. Last season all the foreigners gave us a lot of goals. But what they are offering now is sometimes catastrophic. Larry Mitchell has our trust. First and foremost, we are looking for a new coach who can handle this situation. And who in the future will be able to work with our limited financial resources with the player material that is available to us.

In recent months it has been emphasized several times that no money is spent on a seventh foreigner. But the pressure to save no longer applies to a new coach?
The reality is: destabilization happens faster with us than with other clubs. As soon as we play so poorly, we lose income. There are fewer spectators, which means less food and drink in the stadium. It’s a dance on the edge of a knife. Given the general situation, we can no longer hide behind this pressure to save money. We have to invest something now to be able to make a profit again. When it comes to sports, the pressure to save is not the deciding factor in the competition.

Has the crisis already damaged your image? Is Kloten still attractive for players?
We must be careful not to take sudden actions because we are in a state of frustration, but instead continue to follow our path. Kloten should be the address for players who want to develop further here.

Source : Blick