The Bandi Telus Bomb is now official.
Andreas Bergwal became the new head coach after the team was relegated from the Elite Series.
– I am glad to have the opportunity, as the legend says.
Sportbladet already revealed the news on Monday. Presented on Wednesday night Andreas Bergwalone of Sweden’s biggest bandy icons, as the new Tellus coach.
Thus, the 47-year-old goalkeeper legend, with seven World Cup golds and five Sweden Championship golds in his resume, goes straight from the ice to a spot in the penalty area. After four seasons at AIK, Bergwal announced in March that his active career was over.
I thought about what I should do now, and I was looking for something that I could participate in and influence and that I could get energy from. I am glad to have the opportunity, he said in the first interview after the silly bomb was confirmed by Stockholm Club.
In the spring of 2019, ahead of AIK’s first season in the Elite Series, Andreas Bergwal became a coach. As a goalkeeper, it turned out to be a somewhat impossible task. Now he is looking to lead a “real” team and from the side.
– Maybe that’s exactly how I feel. From here you will start. Then I felt like I didn’t get to my right at all.
“The Allsvenskan feels right”
Is it right to start your coaching career at Allsvenskan? Or would you rather take the Elite League team right away?
“When I stopped playing, it felt like the Elite Series was a forum,” Birgwal says.
– But the more time passed with reflection, the easier it felt to influence the Allsvenskan. Often there are young players who are not “ready” yet. So far Allsvenskan feels right and I’m looking forward to it.
Tellus was one of three teams who left the Elite Series last winter. Now the club faces a fresh start. The goal is not immediate withdrawal. This is a long-term investment that may take a few years.
– It was also important in this regard, that the images of the Tellus board of directors and those who work for the club be clear of where they are heading. You want to build in a new way, change your game, and be more prepared the day you wake up.
How would you like your team to play the bandy?
– My pandy type is offensive, even in the defensive game. Young players shouldn’t just stand in their own half and defend themselves, but I want them to step up the field and win the ball early. And the offensive game should be more advanced than catching the ball.
Signed a one-year contract
Andreas Bergwal’s contract is extended to start next season, with the option to extend if both parties are satisfied with his first year as a coach.
In addition to the World Cup and Swedish Championship gold, Bergwal, with his 195 caps, is by far the most national team player of all time.
Do you have big plans for your coaching career as well?
– Haha, I didn’t think of those terms. Andreas Bergwal says, If I get good at developing and getting what I want, the winners will come.
– But it was nothing “Now ridiculous, I will raise the victories, I will win the Swedish championship and become the captain of the national team.” I’m just looking forward to doing something I’ve never done before, and that I enjoy staying at Bandy.