Updated 18.41 | Published 18.08
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Luleå makes changes in the sporting management.
The icon Stefan “Skuggan” Nilsson is fired from his role as general manager after eight years in the post.
– It’s boring. I have understood that there has been criticism directed at me, he says.
- After seven years as general manager of Luleå Hockey, Stefan “Skuggan” Nilsson is fired. This happens after a season in which the team ended up in seventh place and, among other things, lost Mario Kempe in notable forms.
- Nilsson says that he is aware of the criticism against him and that he has expected that one day he may have to leave the post. Despite this, he does not feel finished and had been looking forward to continuing to build the team.
- The 56-year-old Nilsson had a contract until 2026 and the board has now chosen a different direction for the team. Future plans for Nilsson are still uncertain.
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Luleå went out in four straight games against Växjö in the quarter-finals.
This after a season where the team finished seventh and lost Mario Kempe in noteworthy form.
The sporting disappointment has now claimed its first victim. Sports director Stefan “Skuggan” Nilsson, whose shirt hangs from the ceiling in the Coop Norrbotten Arena, is fired after almost eight years in the post.
– I have understood that there is a grouping that has wanted changes on the sports side. It has been during the season with banners and such. So I have understood that there is criticism directed at me, so the thoughts have been there that there will come a day when you might have to leave. It’s never fun to get the news, but it has been in the back of my mind that it could happen, he says shortly after the news was announced.
The board’s decision
What has it been like to be the bullet hole?
– You think it’s boring to receive criticism and that’s how it’s been for me during the season. You have tried to stay away from social media, but it will come to you anyway. If nothing else, I know about banners and you get to hear from people who read on social media what they think of one, and it’s never fun to receive criticism. Then I fully understand that there is a commitment and I understand the criticism, but it may not be quite on par with some form of reality. I have to say that.
It is the board that chose a different direction, despite the fact that the 56-year-old had a contract until 2026.
– It’s like I haven’t really had time to land on the feeling yet. But it is clear that spontaneously it feels a little empty. But life goes on, I hope that someday I will be back in hockey.
“Made great strides”
Were you prepared to continue working yourself?
– Yes absolutely. Now we were not satisfied with this year’s results, but looking over these years, I think we have built up an image that Luleå Hockey is a top team and should be. We have a junior operation and a youth operation that has made great strides, so I have been fully focused on working on and making sure the team is strong for next year.
Do you think it is a hasty decision by the club?
– I don’t want to go in and make an assessment. This is the board’s decision, so for me it is sad and I will only wish the club good luck in the future here.
What is happening for you now?
– I haven’t had time to plan anything. But I have daughters who live in southern Sweden, so now I will probably have time to go and visit them here in the near future. But first, I’ll lick the wounds a little here.
Now the recruitment of a new general manager begins. For the time being, Ulf Engman, who was assistant general manager next to the “Shadow”, is solely responsible.
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full screen Stefan “Skuggan” Nilsson is fired by Luleå. Photo: Simon Eliasson / Bildbyrån
