As the managing director of the polar bears, Thomas Bothstede prefers to stay in the background. He leaves sporting analyzes to sports director Stéphane Richer or his predecessor Peter John Lee, who continues to support the team in an advisory capacity as deputy chairman of the supervisory board. In a conversation with the Tagesspiegel, Bothstede said almost a year ago: “I will never see myself as an ice hockey expert.”
After the 2-1 home defeat against the Straubing Tigers on Friday evening, which means that the current points quotient is 1.083 and the Augsburg Panthers are only 0.04 behind in 14th place, Bothstede commented on the tricky situation Situation of the polar bears: “It’s very, very frustrating,” says the 52-year-old. “If there were no relegation, it would still be very frustrating, but you would have a certainty that you don’t have now.”
One or the other professional was still afraid to put the unpleasant words about the relegation in his mouth and philosophized about the quality in the squad, which almost inevitably must lead to the train rushing in the direction of the more pleasant regions of the table at some point. The gap to the Kölner Haie in sixth place, who won the winter game in front of 40,163 fans in the Rheinenergie Stadium on Saturday afternoon against the Adler Mannheim 4:2, is already 14 points.
Bothstede made it clear anyway: “Here and today we’ll see if Bietigheim, Schwenningen and Augsburg have scored. If someone says that we’re trying to sugarcoat everything or that we didn’t recognize the situation, then I say no. We have recognized that very well.” But there is no point in jumping to conclusions and panicking.
No progress on the way out of the crisis
In view of this undesirable development, sooner or later the question naturally arises as to how long the polar bears will hold on to coach Serge Aubin. Of course, the Canadian has an impressive record with two titles, and during his tenure the polar bears also played well. However, there is currently no indication that the team is making any progress on its way out of the crisis. And soon half of all games in the main round are played.
According to Bothstede, the usual mechanisms of professional sport don’t take effect with polar bears that quickly. “We’re not looking for a coach,” says the managing director. “It’s probably annoying to hear, but I have to keep calm in this situation and position. I can’t go into the dressing room and yell everything, we have to analyze it and move on.” If you get caught up in a negative spiral – privately or in sport – and you’re so insecure, “it won’t happen overnight”.
After all, the polar bears can rely on the support of their supporters in all setbacks. “If I can say something positive – and that’s really important to me – then it’s the fans,” says Bothstede. “The way they support the team, the sensitivity they have when they celebrate the goalkeepers after conceding a goal or a penalty win like last week, that’s unique.” Around 1,500 fans set off on a special train for the away game to Frankfurt on Sunday (1.30 p.m.). And underline that they will stand by the polar bears even in these difficult times.
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Source: Tagesspiegel
Brayden White, a veteran sports writer at Global Happening, brings his wealth of knowledge and expertise to the sports section. With over a decade of experience, he is committed to delivering high-quality coverage of the latest games and events.
