GAVLE. MIkko Manner led Brynäs in the warm-up for the final Grundserie match.
According to himself, there are no indications of anything other than that he will remain as head coach for Tuesday’s playoffs.
– I understand all the speculation, I’m not as stupid as I might look at some point, he says.
After a 0-4 away against Timrå on Tuesday night, Brynäs has three points and 16 goals until HV71 over the qualification line.
In the final round of the SHL on Thursday night, Brynäs plays at home against series leader Växjö and HV71 away against first-place Oskarshamn.
– We have to win 16-0, then we have a chance. What’s done is done, says Miko Manner, and now we’re reloading and playing as well as we can.
Focus on Tuesday
Are you already looking forward to the qualifiers against Malmö?
– Yes, we did. mentally anyway. Then we re-upload next week so we’ll be done by then.
What can you say about your position?
I understand all the speculation, but I can only influence my own behavior to do things as well as possible and prepare the team and myself to compete hard next week. Speculation is allowed, it’s part of the game at this level. I understand that very well, I am not as stupid as I may seem at times. We’re reloading, I’m ready, I’ll never give up.
What kind of signals have you received from sporting director Johan Allsen and club director Hakan Svedmann about your position as head coach?
– They are a great support to me. We’ve had good dialogue all the time, all season. Now we just aim forward.
“I will complete”
Did you receive guarantees that you will lead the team in the playoffs?
– I didn’t ask for guarantees, I live here every day and focus on what I can do. I didn’t ask anyone about anything. I’m standing here today and fighting as hard as I can, confident that my knowledge is enough to help the team next week.
Did they say you’re going to coach the team?
– Yes. I do sports. I continue.
In the warm-up on Thursday, captain Anton Rudin was missing.
Simon Bertelsson and Johan Larsson took it easy on the ice.
According to Mikko Manner, it may be appropriate to rest and save players in the playoffs.
The best-of-seven qualification match for a place in the SHL between Brynäs and Malmö kicks off in Gävle on Tuesday night.