– He should return to Austria. We need him, it will come in cash from the man who leads the world cup in jumping, Stefan Kraft, when news meets him in Holmenkollen. After the WC in Kulm in January, the Norwegian jumpers wrote a letter to the jumping committee, in which they asked that Alexander Stöckl be removed as national team coach. The jumpers wanted a new management team for the WC on home ground next year. Kraft has been on the outside and followed the Norwegian jumping drama. – I think that it is not a simple situation. I don’t know what happened, so I can’t say much about it. There are perhaps some misunderstandings from both sides, both athletes and coaches. The best thing is to talk about the problem and solve it, says Kraft. WISH: Alexander Stöckl and Stefan Kraft during Raw Air in 2017. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB Kraft has no doubt that Stöckl, who moved to Norway to become Norwegian national team manager in 2011, is an attractive coach for other nations. – He is a good man. I think he is one of the best in ski jumping. He has achieved a lot here in Norway. If they don’t want him, we’ll take him, he says with a smile. Stöckl: – Absolutely fantastic Alexander Stöckl is not present in Holmenkollen during this year’s Raw Air competition which started on Friday, although the jumpers did not mind him being present on the ground. There, Kraft jumped to victory on Saturday and a third place on Sunday. But the Austrian coach is moved when news tells him about what Kraft has said. – It is absolutely fantastic in the first place. I appreciated that those who know me well think that about me, says Stöckl to news. COACH: Alexander Stöckl has coached the Norwegian show jumpers since 2011. Photo: ISMAIL BURAK AKKAN / news The 30-year-old, who has ravaged the World Cup for many years, was himself under the wing of the Norwegian national team coach when he was 18 and 19 years old. – I know Stefan well. That’s a bit too much praise, but it’s absolutely fantastic. Throughout his career, Stefan has also developed into a great personality with good values. He is a very humble fellow, says Stöckl. – He impressed me a lot. A man with a clear plan and he knew what to do. I had a very good time with him, says Kraft about his former coach. Willing to stay in Norway The Alpine Ski Association has for several years shown an interest in bringing Stöckl home. Austria is currently coached by the former high jumper Andreas Widhölzl, who has won the German-Austrian jumping week and has Olympic gold from the team competition in jumping back in 2006. – We have a good coach in Widhölzl, but we need many good coaches throughout made, so one is not enough. We are a big team, emphasizes Kraft. STAR: Stefan Kraft, here from the show jumping in Holmenkollen on Saturday. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB But the Norwegian national team coach says that it is not appropriate to leave Norway right now. – No, not now. We are well established in Norway, so we have no thoughts of going anywhere else. Working for Austria will be difficult, says the coach. – It is still Norway that is owed? – Yes, we live here. This is where our friends are, we are well established and our daughter goes to school. So we have no plans to move, says Stöckl. Initially, he has a contract that runs until 2026, but the situation surrounding the coach is still uncertain.
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– If they don’t want him, we’ll take him – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
