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Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Lugano’s Struggles: Coach Luca Gianinazzi Departs Despite Attempts to Retain Him This Winter

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HC Lugano is facing a challenging season marked by struggles and a coaching change. Despite the club’s desire for stability under coach Luca Gianinazzi, poor performance and a second-to-last standing prompted his dismissal. President Vicky Mantegazza acknowledged the need for a shift, as Lugano has not seen significant success in years. Amid speculation about potential new leadership, the club grapples with its legacy, aiming to break away from past patterns and establish a clearer direction for the future.

HC Lugano: A Season of Struggles and Changes

In recent months, HC Lugano has been sending out signals that their primary objective for the season has been to keep coach Luca Gianinazzi afloat through the winter. Gianinazzi, who took over from Chris McSorley in October 2022, has struggled to make any significant progress during his tenure. His main attribute seemed to be his deep connection to the club, being considered “uno di noi,” or one of their own.

A Shift in Strategy and Direction

Over time, Lugano has experienced numerous strategic shifts, and this bond with Gianinazzi was deemed sufficient by the club’s leadership, including president Vicky Mantegazza and CEO Marco Werder. They envisioned a model similar to that of rival Ambri-Piotta, where the duo of Paolo Duca and Luca Cereda has been in place since 2017. Although Ambri hasn’t enjoyed significant sporting success, they have established a sense of stability and goodwill, moving away from the cycle of dismissals that burdened the budget.

Unfortunately, harmony and happiness seem far from reach for Lugano this season, as they find themselves in a precarious position, currently sitting at second-to-last place. A team that once had aspirations for a top 6 finish is now struggling to find its footing.

After disappointing losses to Lausanne and Ajoie, it became clear that Gianinazzi could no longer remain in charge. On Monday morning, the club announced his departure along with his coaching staff. Domenichelli, who had previously defended Gianinazzi, also parted ways with the team. Despite his valiant efforts, even he appeared to be losing hope as the season progressed.

President Mantegazza expressed sorrow over the decision, stating, “It is a decision that hurts us deeply, that makes us sad, even on a human level. Luca is a competent, serious, and well-prepared person, but the team has fallen into a black hole, and a change was necessary.”

Interestingly, Mantegazza has a history of trying to protect coaches like Gianinazzi before ultimately needing to sever ties due to poor performance, reminiscent of her handling of current national coach Patrick Fischer nearly a decade ago. Fischer’s case highlights the importance of not prematurely dismissing young coaches, yet CEO Werder seems to be the only one convinced that Gianinazzi has demonstrated the capability to lead a National League team.

Gianinazzi’s downfall can be attributed to his strong adherence to Lugano’s culture during the Mantegazza era. The practice of placing friends and former players in key positions has become overly prevalent. The philosophy of “la famiglia” is deeply embedded in Lugano, where past contributions can often secure continued employment regardless of current performance.

While honoring traditions has its charm, the lackluster results over the past decade suggest that it may be time for a fresh perspective. A strong leader from outside the current circle could help untangle the existing connections and bring a new vision to the club. This change may be challenging for Mantegazza, who is often criticized for being overly influenced by her emotional ties to the fans.

Amidst the turmoil, a rumor has emerged in Ticino suggesting that former star defender Julien Vauclair could make a comeback. Vauclair, now 45, is currently managing HC Ajoie but has strong ties to Lugano from his playing days. The speculation surrounding his potential hiring raises questions about whether true change is on the horizon for Lugano or if they will remain stuck in old patterns.

With the last title won in 2006 and no playoff series victories since 2018, Lugano’s proud legacy seems to be drifting into uncertainty. The club must grapple with a lack of direction and a clear plan moving forward, especially after the varied coaching philosophies that have failed to yield success in recent years.

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