Uwe Krupp apparently does not see himself as a suitable candidate for the position of national ice hockey coach. He explained this to SPOX.
Krupp, who is traded in some media as a favourite for the succession of the resigned Marco Sturm, does not assume that DEB would allow him to work as a national and club coach.
“I don’t think DEB is looking for someone to lead the national team in a double function. From my own experience, I know that the job is tough and the person has their hands full,” explained the 53-year-old.
But the former Stanley Cup winner is currently tied in the Czech capital: “I have a contract with Sparta Prague, which I will honour until the time comes when the roads separate – whenever that happens.”
Krupp, who had already been national coach from 2005 to 2011, thus practically rules out a return. It was only in May that he signed a contract in Prague until 2020.
In addition to Krupp, Harold Kreis is also traded, who obviously has the much better cards. The 59-year-old is currently coach of the Düsseldorf EC and was Krupp’s assistant in the 2010 World Cup semi-final.
Krupp himself expects DEB to find a “good solution”: “I think Franz Reindl and the Executive Committee will be looking for a successor in the next few days and weeks.”
Marco Sturm surprisingly asked the association for clearance to move to the NHL as assistant coach for the Los Angeles Kings. On Sunday he was officially bid farewell following the German Cup.