Friborg Gutieron surprisingly sacked Christian Dube from his position as coach

Christian Dube has to leave HC Fribourg-Gottéron unexpectedly. Canadian Patrick Emond will coach the team that reached the semi-finals last season for a year. Then the Swede Roger Runeberg will take over and forge a new era.

The 47-year-old Dube has been at Freiburg since 2011, first as a player, then as sporting director and, as of October 2019, in the dual role of sporting director and head coach. Since March 1 of this year, the French-Canadian has only been coach, while Gerd Zennhauser from Valais has taken over as sporting director.

Khalifa Dube knows the club well. Patrick Emond was most recently an assistant at Freiburg. Previously, he was coach of Geneva Servette for almost three years, leading them to the final in 2021. “We are convinced that Patrick Emond will lead the club to success this season. Tactically and as a person, he is a great person and has a high level of credibility among the players. “The team is in good hands,” sporting director Gerd Zenhauser said in a club statement.

The assistant takes charge: Patrick Emond follows Christian Dube.Image: Cornerstone

Without Dobby in a new cycle

It is already clear that a different coach will take charge from the 2025/26 season. The people of Freiburg have already reached an agreement with Swede Roger Runeberg. The 52-year-old has been a coach for 24 years, has been in charge of Frolunda Gothenburg since 2013, and like Emond, has also enjoyed success in the youth sector. With the club he became Swedish champion twice and won the Hockey Champions League four times.

With the breakup with Dube and the early agreement with Runeberg, Friborg Gotieron wants to start a new cycle. “Roger Runeberg has established a real identity and culture at Frölunda and transformed the club in the long term. His philosophy is consistent with the sporting strategy presented to the club and confirmed by the management and the board of directors. I am convinced that the club as a whole will improve.

Frölunda coach Roger Runeberg.Image: Cornerstone

The decision to part ways with Christian Dube came a year before Röneberg's arrival during the season analysis. Friborg Goteron finished the qualifying round in a good second place, but failed to qualify in the semi-finals, thus once again failing to live up to high expectations. (NI/DAP)