SPORT ⋅ Zug has found a successor for coach Nicklas Hedstål. The Finn Antti Ruokonen, a floorball veteran, will take over from summer.
(cza) The NLA men’s team from Zug United will be on the hunt for points in the new season under the direction of Antti Ruokonen (57). The former national coach of Finland and multiple Finnish master coach is taking on a job as head coach abroad for the first time. He comes from the Finnish club Josba Joensuu and receives a multi-year contract at Lake Zug. Ruokonen replaces the Swede Nicklas Hedstål, who has decided to return to his home country at the end of the season.
Ruokonen is a trained primary school teacher and a veteran of floorball. In his homeland he has won everything there is to be won. In a statement from Zug United, Ruokonen is quoted as follows:
«I am always looking for the right challenge. Zug United with its young team and the large reservoir of young players offers me the perfect environment for their development. I’m very happy to be there. “
He has already watched Zug United’s first games: “Zug has a lot of potential. I am happy when I can develop and advance the team. At the same time I get to know a new culture, a new country and exciting people. I have the right to learn and pass on what I know. That I can do this with Zug United is a great thing! “
Head of Sport: “He’s a great motivator”
Zug’s sports director Bruno Schelbert is satisfied with the choice of the new head coach: “We held talks with a number of potential coaches. Antti convinced us with his calm, analytical manner. He is a leader and a great motivator, demands a lot from himself and from the players. Antti is able to read the game and establish the game on the defensive. I am convinced that he will do a lot of good at Zug United. ”
The sports director expects Ruokonen in Zug at the beginning of June, currently he still lives in Joensuu, in the east of Finland. The planning for the coming season will continue with the existing coaching team, according to the announcement.
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