Association expanded with Fischer: No one was more successful – a right decision

Patrick Fischer has really earned the contract extension until 2026. Taking all circumstances into account, this is the right decision; the Swiss national team has never been as successful as under Fischer. Most recently, he reached the quarter-finals six times in a row, won 18 of 21 group matches in the last three years and won a silver medal in 2018. This is a record of achievement for which a monument would have been erected to his predecessors.

Exit clause: what does it contain?

As part of the new contract, an exit clause has been reserved for the association if the World Cup in the Czech Republic goes completely wrong. What that means can probably only be defined shortly before the World Cup. Then when the actual strength of the team (NHL players) is known. Perhaps the representatives of the association can do some educational work at the press conference on Wednesday in Kloten.

Fischer has been criticized mainly for his positive charisma. That’s probably unique to us. Enthusiasm, self-confidence and an upwardly adjusted target (semi-finals) due to the positive results ensured that despite his position on the world rankings (currently: 7), he was suddenly no longer allowed to lose a quarter-final. Of course: anyone who formulates goals and regularly misses them makes themselves vulnerable.

Fischer has also been criticized for losing two of the last three quarter-finals against Germany: against the 2018 Olympic runner-up and the current runner-up world champion. He is accused of the – admittedly annoying, but also negligible – results of recent times on the Euro Hockey Tour: nine games, nine defeats against the Swedes, Finns and Czechs. As if anyone in the past has cared about the results of test matches. They played against Slovakia in three-quarter time and joked about it. But you just like to hang up your coat when the wind blows.

The counter argument was that we should just wait for the next World Cup and then decide whether to extend the contract. That would have sent Fischer like a lame duck to the next World Cup. As punishment for what? Six quarter-finals in a row as number seven in the world? The silver medal? The Euro Hockey Tour? Or is it the defeats against the Germans that are a thorn in the side of many?

Set your sights on 2026 – better with a plan

The Olympic Games and the World Cup in our own country will be on the calendar in 2026. Then you better have a good idea of ​​what exactly you want in Swiss ice hockey. This contract extension has marked the way: with Fischer to Italy and with Fischer in Zurich and Fribourg. If he were to be responsible for a major failure in the Czech Republic, he would have to do it without Fischer.

The exciting question then is: where do you get a Swiss coach? There is still no culture in Swiss ice hockey that supports Swiss coaches. Or will you follow the example of the most powerful clubs in the National League and start business abroad again? Anyone who allows themselves this thought confirms what many only dare to say behind closed doors: Switzerland is still a developing country in international ice hockey.