GC coach with a golden touch: Will Fink’s joker goal save Bruno Berner’s head?

class=”sc-cffd1e67-0 iQNQmc”>

You cannot blame Bruno Berner (46) for one thing, despite his poor points average: that he is not enthusiastic enough about his work as a classification trainer. In the early stages, the former left back dances like a madman on the sidelines, waving his arms, whipping, clapping, shouting. Berner looks as if he wants to replace himself. Because he knows his job is hanging by a thread. And he is, for better or worse, dependent on those on the lawn.

In the first half the players didn’t look like they were trying to save their coach’s skin. The FCSG plays too powerfully and the Hoppers allow too many chances. The lead falls practically at the half-time whistle. Goalkeeper Justin Hammel and defender Kristers Tobers, two of the few ranking players who have managed to convince in recent weeks, show serious coordination problems and practically put the goal into the opponent’s net themselves. Berner speaks of an “unfavorable time”. Because the Hoppers walk into the locker room with their heads low.

Berner changes tactics

But the coach seems to find the right words there. And the right tricks. Instead of a three-man defense, the record champions fielded a four-man defense in the second half. Berner says he had to do something. “The change gave the team confidence.” Ultimately, the Hoppers are rewarded for a good second half with a points win.

Berner thinks this is important for morale. And also important to him. And his future as a classification coach. «The team is alive, it works. We came back,” says Berner. And with these statements he advertises himself, he does not mention that he showed a golden touch with the equalizer with goal scorer Fink and assistant Tim Meyer. But it is still a fact that argues for continued employment.

The poor grade point average contradicts this. The Hoppers averaged just 1.1 points in the 30 competitive games under Berner. It is the worst record since Thorsten Fink (0.83 points) and Tomislav Stipic (0.6) almost five years ago. The proud record champions were relegated to the Challenge League at the time.

Source : Blick