Färjestad has turned the page after the change of coach.
Now captain Linus Johansson opens up about the conversation with Jörgen Jönsson after the firing.
– Jörgen is still a wonderful guy who you want to support, says Johansson to TV4.
It has been a couple of weeks since Färjestad made the decision to fire head coach Jörgen Jönsson and then bring in Cam Abbott as a replacement.
Ahead of Saturday’s match against Timrå, FBK captain Linus Johansson, who is currently injured, is a guest in the TV4 studio. He then opens up about his feelings after the firing of Jörgen Jönsson.
– In the end he had to go and it is clear that as captain and leading player in Färjestad I feel a responsibility and that it is incredibly sad for the person Jörgen, says Linus Johansson in the studio and believes that the players had no part in the decision to go their separate ways with Jönsson:
– We didn’t know about it until it was out and the decision had been made. I was never asked by Rickard (Wallin) and if I had been asked, I would have replied that “I have not paid for that”.
Linus Johansson: “I have spoken to Jörgen”
According to Linus Johansson, he has had several conversations with Jörgen Jönsson during the course of the season regarding the team’s play. He now also says that he has spoken to Jönsson after he was fired.
– It has been transparent and open all along. I have spoken to Jörgen afterwards as well and what I said to him, I have been fired as a player myself, is that you have to continue and move on. Otherwise, it will definitely not go well, says Johansson and recounts the conversation with Jörgen Jönsson:
– You just want to talk. When I played in Russia and got fired, it was for Linus the hockey player, probably not for the person. That’s a hell of a difference, and so is this. This was a firing as a hockey coach, but Jörgen is still a wonderful guy who you want to support.
The words about Cam Abbott: “Easy to forget”
After the firing of Jörgen Jönsson, Färjestad has brought in Cam Abbott as his replacement. Under Abbott’s leadership, FBK has so far received a boost. Right now the team has two straight victories after 7-0 against Brynäs and 3-2 after penalties against Luleå.
Linus Johansson also describes what characterizes Abbott and his leadership.
– He is ambitious, cares about keeping deadlines, tough and energetic. He has talked about being positive, especially in the situation we are in now. One thing that has stuck with me is winning the day. It sounds obvious, but it’s easy to forget too. He is very positive and gives energy, says Johansson in TV4’s studio.
