Christiansen named new Steelers coach

[GuinnessMan]

www.sheffieldsteelersihc.co.uk/the-finnerty-era-comes-to-an-end-p182976
www.sheffieldsteelersihc.co.uk/finnerty-not-to-return-next-season--p182975

Finnerty Not To Return Next Season
The Sheffield Steelers have confirmed that they will not be renewing the contract of head coach Ryan Finnerty following two seasons in charge of the club.

Finnerty joined the Steelers as a player in 2006 and remained with the club for two and a half years playing 188 games and scoring 64 goals before spells back in North America and Cardiff.

Finnerty returned to Sheffield as player coach in 2011 and as a stand alone head coach for this past season.

Owner Tony Smith said “It’s with a sad heart that we have taken this decision but as a club we felt we had no alternative. Everyone who works alongside Ryan knows the effort he has put into trying to bring success back to this organisation and we are both thankful and grateful to him for that.

“As a club we have taken the decision to move on and not to re-new Ryan’s deal for next season. We are actively looking for an experienced head coach to come in and run the hockey side of this business

“We again thank Ryan and wish him well in his future”

[Deleted]

That's a shame , was looking forward to more if the same next season , a cup less Sheffield

[Rob Scott]

Bad news for all of Steelers rivals but a no brainier for them. The guy is clearly not bright enough to be a leader of men. How could he expect to command the respect of a team while displaying childish little hissyfits time and time again.

[Yotes]

No surprise, we've seen coaches sacked for less (or for more, can't decide which way around that should be).

Be interesting to see who they bring in, going to be very keen to win instantly.

[bobness]

Predictable, but he was 0 for 6 in the last 2 years, and missed the playoff finals both years. And crucially, I fear, very disapppointing ends to both seasons.
Not great if he indeed has had the biggest playing budget in the league this year.

[panthertom93]

All the best to him. He has a temper to control during game, however off the ice he seemed a genuinely nice guy. Looking forward to seeing Sheffield at the weekend

[james1977]

Apr 4, 2013 8:59:16 GMT bobness said:

Not great if he indeed has had the biggest playing budget in the league this year.

But how can that be? According to some fans of that team that plays on a small islsnd to the west of the Isle of Man, Panthers have outspent everyone else two to one.

I know Tony Smith stated that the Steelers budget was bigger than everyone else's but who would have more of a clue, the chairman of the EIHL or some bitter Giants fans (who for all their apparent 'inside knowledge' about the other teams somehow managed to miss a few issues with their's)?

[sameagain]

Rick Strachan? just maybe.

[Shorty]

Did Finnerty have a further year on his contract, and was subsequently sacked, or is it the case of his contract not being renewed?

Just curious.

[Cardarelli27]

Rob Wilson will be happy, Finnertys head rolling after he and his team 'let' Panthers win the league... idiot. I felt that Finnerty did need more time and he would have learned to channel more of his passion and energy into his team and keep his head. He wouldv'e also needed to realise that players of Champagne's quality should not be left in the stands.

[james1977]

Apr 4, 2013 9:49:41 GMT Shorty said:

Did Finnerty have a further year on his contract, and was subsequently sacked, or is it the case of his contract not being renewed?

Just curious.

I believe Finnerty was in the second year of a two year contract and it simply hasn't been renewed. As with Meyers last season though, it won't stop people speaking of him being 'sacked'.

[Lawman]

Very sad to see finnerty not coming back next year I thought he had a very good season

[Gilly]

thats a shame, he was doing fantastically well!

[goon37]

Apr 4, 2013 9:52:56 GMT Cardarelli27 said:

Rob Wilson will be happy, Finnertys head rolling after he and his team 'let' Panthers win the league... idiot. I felt that Finnerty did need more time and he would have learned to channel more of his passion and energy into his team and keep his head. He wouldv'e also needed to realise that players of Champagne's quality should not be left in the stands.

Not sure if you are implying Wilson will take over at Shuff but he has been confirmed as staying in Italy next season (Although we all know the value of contracts in this sport...)

[gump]

Smith failed to look at himself in this decision and unlike the Panthers who had a plan going forward with Nielson were not swayed by forum comments. Now the off ice issues which are significant and Smith generated can come out. I doubt they will be able to recruit any quality players once all is aired

[Rob Scott]

Apr 4, 2013 11:26:50 GMT gump said:

Smith failed to look at himself in this decision and unlike the Panthers who had a plan going forward with Nielson were not swayed by forum comments. Now the off ice issues which are significant and Smith generated can come out. I doubt they will be able to recruit any quality players once all is aired

Oooo, do tell....

[kezypanther]

The difference is though gump that panthers went one season without silverware under Neilson. Granted the second season was only challenge cup. Finnerty has won 0 from 6, according to the owner had one of if not the highest budget team. Then to add to that havent made it into the last two playoffs. He doesn't deserve a third year. Though that is just my opinion.

[spik]

Hang on a minute.Smith states his budget was largest...yet we had all that 'teams should be sensible' before the season started because we were to understand Sheffield had no money?

[gump]

Players will tell others the actual ins and outs of Smith's mgt of the team once they receive or if they receive all contractual monies owed. Interesting review of the year by some players who seem to believe Panthers have the right plan in place to dominate for years to come. Smith has no plan and will refer to the vocal minority for imput. If you follow their forum here is your chance to be a true armchair coach/mgr join and start posting away you never know he may even hire you.

[Shaggy]

Apr 4, 2013 12:18:16 GMT gump said:

Players will tell others the actual ins and outs of Smith's mgt of the team once they receive or if they receive all contractual monies owed.

Details?

[Shaggy]

Sheffield Steelers To Replace Coach That Has Broken Down Twice.

And in other news, Finnerty's gone as well...


Not really surprised, but disappointing from our POV... they weren't likely to win much with him at the helm. Oh well...

[gump]

Players will tell others the actual ins and outs of Smith's mgt of the team. Interesting review of the year by some players who seem to believe Panthers have the right plan in place to dominate for years to come. Smith has no plan and will refer to the vocal minority for imput. If you follow their forum here is your chance to be a true armchair coach/mgr join and start posting away you never know he may even hire you.

[kgw]

gump always posts un-founded claims about the ownership. Has no one realised this yet?

[Rob Scott]

Apr 4, 2013 12:47:28 GMT kgw said:

gump always posts un-founded claims about the ownership. Has no one realised this yet?

It's a Panthers forum so we would probably rather assume that they are true...

[Shaggy]

Apr 4, 2013 12:47:28 GMT kgw said:

gump always posts un-founded claims about the ownership. Has no one realised this yet?

But how are we to judge who is being more truthful/accurate? Gump with his (vague) claims or you saying he's wrong? Why should we believe you and not him? Works both ways...