The new Kloten coach Stephan Mair has the reputation: “I am emotional, but I have improved.”

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It must be a strange start for a new coach who was hired in a crisis phase, but is now in charge of Kloten for the first time after four victories. But Stephan Mair says: “There is no perfect situation for a coaching change.” The series of successes is positive, it is not about him, but about EHC Kloten.

The South Tyrolean gave up his job as coach of Ambri-Piotta’s elite juniors to be NL head coach in Kloten for a few weeks. No prospects for employment out of season. “Take it or leave it,” was Mair’s thought. “If you get this opportunity, no matter how hard it is, you have to go for it.”

I just spoke to Mitchell briefly

There are still ten qualifying matches to be played. In the best case – if Kloten’s team intercepts the Lakers – the season is over for them. In the worst case you play a play-out against Ajoie. Then follow the duels against Servette, Bern and Fribourg. That’s why Mair has been looking at the people of Geneva and their weaknesses in his video footage in recent days. And with the construction sites in Kloten. “Even if you win, you will find areas that need to be worked on.” An example? “We have to intercept the opponent earlier and slow them down in the neutral zone.”

The 56-year-old is interested in the opinions of those involved. “Feedback from the team and assistant coaches is important.” The first thing he did before his first day on the job was talk to captain Steve Kellenberger about whether the players had a similar view of the construction sites he had identified. As well as with assistants Kimmo Rintanen (50, Fi) and Saku Martikainen (44, Fi), to whom he still has to delegate a lot in his first match. And with his predecessor Larry Mitchell? “I spoke to him briefly about statistics and material about the players that he could leave to me.” The subject is not explored in depth, but rather changed.

Recurring errors trigger Mair

Mair is confident he can help the team achieve greater stability. Partly thanks to certain character traits. The ex-Nati coach from Italy is considered a meticulous and detail-obsessed hockey worker. And his reputation preceded him in other ways as well. “Yes, I am emotional, but I have improved when it comes to exploding.” Mair prefers to call it: consistent with his principles. «It is said that I treat all players equally. But not everyone wants that because certain people have status.”

But back to the emotions. How can you improve this? When he took office in Ambri, it was clear to him that he needed a different tone when dealing with juniors. He managed to change. However, there are things that trigger him in players: “Bad habits and recurring mistakes. I have a problem with that.”

But Mair also learns to deal with his impatience better – thanks to his small children, who challenge him. Daughter Diana is four years old and son Elias is one year old. However, the family returned directly from Bellinzona to their native South Tyrol, so that he could fully concentrate on hockey in Kloten.

Source : Blick