Release from 13.12.2021

"We were stronger as a group than the sum of our parts"

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Greg Ireland made his comeback as head coach at HCB Südtirol Alperia on Sunday. The 56-year-old spoke immediately after the 1:3 defeat against EC Red Bull Salzburg about how the renewed cooperation came about, this year's Foxes team compared to the previous season and his concrete plans with the team.

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Greg Ireland, who currently also coaches the Italian national team, came to Bolzano as head coach in January 2020. After the Canadian led the Foxes to the finals, HCB and Ireland parted ways for the time being. After 20 games with Doug Mason and four games with Fabio Armani, who will remain with the Foxes as an assistant coach, the South Tyroleans again agreed with Greg Ireland.

"Dieter Knoll and I are both tough negotiators. However, it was not about the money. Once all the details were clarified, it was an easy decision for me to return. [...]"

Last season, the Foxes dominated the regular season and also decided the Master Round in their favor. Thus, the South Tyroleans started the 2021 playoffs as big favorites and the hunted. However, after a 4-1 win in the quarterfinal series against Bratislava and a 4-2 win in the semifinal series against Vienna, the Foxes were defeated by EC-KAC. Greg Ireland, who provided the best defense in Europe with most of the time the fewest goals conceded, talks about the reasons for the final defeat and what he could take away from it.

"A final defeat is not something to deal with, it's an opportunity to learn from it. Due to injuries and suspensions, we went into the final with only eight forwards. We did a lot of things really well last season. However, we couldn't finish it off. [...]"

Before Greg Ireland took the reins back in Bolzano, the current season featured 14 wins, ten losses, just narrowly placing in the top-6. In the previous season, Ireland was the clear leader of the table with the Foxes at the same time. Exactly one year ago, HCB recorded a point average of 2.41 - currently the South Tyroleans hold at 1.64.

"I have, followed numerous Bolzano games live and via video this season. However, there is a big difference between being an uninvolved spectator and being directly involved. The closer you are to the ice, the more difficult the game becomes. We were stronger as a group in the preseason than the sum of the piecec because we always made each other stronger. I haven't been able to see that kind of cooperation - observed from afar - in the same way this season. [...]"

Together with Ireland, the Foxes want to continue their upward trajectory. However, the 56-year-old Canadian does not want to commit to a clear goal.

"It's all about details and habits, which we now have to work on intensively. We have to stay in the moment and not look too far ahead. The team is not yet where it can be. But what is possible this season can only be answered by the players. [...]"

The whole interview, with clearly detailed answers, is available in the video:

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Greg Ireland
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Greg Ireland
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Dieter Knoll + Greg Ireland
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