"You Have to Know How This Industry Works"

After two national championships, four CHL titles and over 400 wins, there is only one season left for Roger Rönnberg in Frölunda's jersey. But he himself does not attach much importance to it. You have to be in the present when you're involved in elite sports, says the 53-year-old.

» Updated: Thu 26 Sept 2024 07:10 CEST

» Published: Mon 16 Sept 2024 12:54 CEST

Many of the colleagues are new or almost new. But in Frölunda's booth, it's the same trainer as usual when the SHL season starts on Saturday.

In an industry that perhaps is not primarily associated with employment security, Roger Rönnberg has now trained the same ice hockey club for over eleven years.

Every preseason meeting, when I meet my colleagues, it's never the same group of colleagues as the year before. You have to be humble and realize that, he says.

Rönnberg came from some successful years as the national team captain for the Junior Crowns when he became clear for Frölunda in 2013.

Since then, he has led the Gothenburg club to two SM gold medals and four titles in the Champions Hockey League. In December last year, he also became the most winning trainer so far in the SHL's regular season.

"Living in the present"

But employment security is a fragile thing for a trainer at the elite level, emphasizes the 53-year-old.

I haven't really counted on completing any season so far. You have to know how this industry works, he says.

You have to live in the present. If you don't, it's easy for a season to become your last, even if it's not planned that way.

His contract with Frölunda has been extended in stages since the start in 2013. But in the spring, it became official that he will leave the club in the spring.

In addition, the new job, in the Swiss top club Fribourg-Gottéron, is already clear.

"Scarecrow" in the booth?

But the 53-year-old is not thinking that far ahead.

It's just the present, he repeats with a broad smile.

I know I'm competing against all other coaches right now. I need to be a little more manic, a little more meticulous, a little more driven than them to get a little more out of my team.

Rönnberg points to goalkeeper star Lasse Johansson, who has just stepped off the training ice in Frölundaborg.

Can I develop, for example, Lasse a few percent extra until the playoffs? That's my job. It's you others who have time to think about the future or the past.

How do you think the players are affected by knowing that you will soon be leaving?