Mikael Karlberg has been confirmed as Modo Hockey's new head coach, according to multiple reports. The appointment ends weeks of speculation about who would lead the team after their semifinal elimination. Karlberg, currently an assistant coach at Färjestad, will take over a Modo side aiming for promotion to the SHL. Karlberg expressed his enthusiasm about the new role, saying he feels very inspired, according to major media sources.
Karlberg has a contract with Färjestad for next season, but it includes a clause allowing him to leave for a head coach position, major media sources report. This clause enabled Modo to secure his services despite his existing commitment. The exact nature of the clause has not been disclosed. Karlberg is currently an assistant coach in Färjestad, a role he has held for several seasons.
When you start reading it, of course you start thinking.
Earlier, Karlberg commented on the rumors linking him to Modo, telling Hockeysverige that rumors go around every year about him and often about the same teams too. According to Tidningen Ångermanland/Allehanda, Karlberg described his first visit to Modo as including interviews, meeting players and staff, and familiarizing himself with Hägglunds Arena. He said he knows what he is getting into, indicating he had done his homework on the club.
Karlberg's relationship with current assistant coach Fredrik Andersson has been a point of interest. According to Sportbladet, Andersson described the situation as not optimal and expressed a desire to remain with Modo next season. Karlberg, however, said he sees no problem being the boss of last season's head coach, according to major media. Andersson has a contract for next season as an assistant coach, but his role under Karlberg remains unclear. Karlberg noted that he and Andersson have a good relationship and that they can work together effectively.
It's not optimal and when you start reading it, of course you start thinking. Even though I know they are looking at coaches, I would like to be there next year too and have the chance to go up, if they think it's right.
Modo was eliminated in the semifinals against Karlskoga, ending their season. Sports director Henrik Grandin stated at a press conference that Karlberg is one of the candidates and that the club is looking at a solution with two new coaches. Grandin said that Karlberg is one of the names they have discussed during this journey and that they will see what happens in the future. He added that right now they need to mope a bit and then start next season in a few weeks, but in any case, there will be two new coaches. The search for a second coach is ongoing, and Grandin indicated that the club is considering several candidates.
Several uncertainties remain. It is not known whether Fredrik Andersson will stay as an assistant coach next season. The identity of the second new coach, if Modo brings in two, has not been revealed. Karlberg's official start date has not been announced, and the exact details of the clause in his Färjestad contract are undisclosed. Modo's chances of promoting to the SHL next season are also uncertain, as the team will face strong competition in HockeyAllsvenskan.
If you've been a head coach for eight years, that's what you aim for all the time, but that wasn't how I had planned it now. The idea was that Mattias would lead this with me and Micke (Sundell), all the way up to SHL. Then when they asked me in December, it was natural to say yes. It wasn't something I was striving for here, but when you're here, you'd like to continue building it for another year.
Rumors go around every year about me – and often about the same teams too. I think it's the third year in a row.
I know what I'm getting into.
I feel very inspired.