PHOTO: Bildbyrån
HV71 managed to stay in the SHL with the smallest margin.
Now the sports manager Kent Norberg opens up about the great criticism against him.
– It’s not fun to be hung out like that, says “Nubben” to JP.
HV71 had great ambitions to establish themselves higher up in the SHL table last season. But it was a real fiasco for the club, which was forced into yet another tough relegation qualifier.
The fans’ criticism
It got even worse when the qualifying drama entered the seventh and decisive match, where the anxiety was total for both HV71 and Oskarshamn. During the “Game 7” match in Jönköping, the HV supporters also chose to actively mark their great dissatisfaction with the club management and the sports manager Kent Norberg.
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In the stands, banners were unfurled with an incredibly clear message.
“The board and Nubben’s incompetence have destroyed HV’s existence. This was never going to happen, now all bridges are burned. LEAVE EVERYONE!”, could be read on the lyrics.
Norberg worried
HV71 managed to win the qualifying drama in the seventh game and secure continued play in the SHL. But it is clear that the “Nubben” has been affected by the supporters’ anger and now the sports director opens up about his feelings.
– What was said on the last night when we managed to stay, that I will resign. It’s not fun, it’s not fun to be hanged publicly in front of 8,000 spectators and the TV audience that you are completely inept, he tells Jönköpingsposten.
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Norberg has one year left on his contract with HV71 and at the same time as the sporting director looks over the team building for the coming season, there is a concern. The 56-year-old now admits that he is prepared to be forced to leave.
– Yes it’s me. I would bury my head in the sand if I don’t understand otherwise. I’ve been lucky to have been doing this for 27 years and never been fired, but just look in Luleå, where they also put up a banner and “The Shadow” (Stefan Nilsson) was fired. We also have a banner and even worse results, he says to the local newspaper.
READ MORE: The adamant criticism of Frölunda after the giant scrimmage in the SM play-offs – vents their great disappointment: “They’ve gone for it”
At the same time that information comes to light that HV71 must have been in contact with Chris Abbott, who last season had to leave his job as sports manager in Rögle. It will probably make Kent “Nubben” Norberg even more stressed.
What do you think of the criticism of “Nubben” from the HV fans? Share the article and have your say!
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