After the suspension of Bobby Lukas as the youth manager of the Black Wings Linz (we reported), the Stahlstadt-based company has now held internal discussions and made a decision as to what will happen next with Lukas and his position.
Two weeks ago, a video that was leaked to the ÖEHV caused a stir – it showed Black Wings Linz youth boss Robert Lukas shouting loudly and gesticulating wildly on the bench during a U15 game at the end of September. The shouts were directed at a young player, after whose substitution Lukas can be seen again gesticulating wildly towards the player and throwing a piece of paper on the floor. There were general accusations of bullying, psychological violence, lack of communication and arbitrary actions.
The association initiated an investigation based on the video, found that Lukas had “humiliated the player and damaged the reputation of ice hockey” and banned Lukas – an appeal was rejected. Lukas was then helped by statements from parents who only spoke positively about the long-standing Black Wings crack (we reported), but this has no influence on the ban until January 14th.
Internal discussions have now been held with the result that we will continue to hold on to the 46-year-old. According to “Oberösterreichische Nachrichten”, there will be no immediate consequences, nor any internal club punishment, but there will be urgent words addressed to Lukas. He continues to enjoy the trust of the club’s management, said Peter Nader, who had a conversation lasting more than two hours with the suspended youth boss. “We all know who he is, what he does and what he can do. But Bobby needs to work on himself. He knows that too. Something like that shouldn’t happen,” said Nader: “He has to be careful, he’s in the display. And there’s someone who’s sawing at his chair.”
Lukas himself is 100% insightful and is working with external help to get his emotions better under control. He will hold a full-time job within the organization until the end of his ban. U13 head coach Marcel Kunzemann is now taking over the duties for which he is suspended on an interim basis. The parents of the young players have already been informed about this.
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