Harold Kreis has been dismissed as head coach of the German men's ice hockey team. The decision comes after several disappointing tournament results and ahead of next year's home World Championship in Düsseldorf.
Kreis, 67, had led Germany since the 2023 World Championship. Under his guidance the team reached the final that year, losing to Canada, and earned a silver medal in Tampere. Subsequent performances declined. Germany missed the quarterfinals in two World Championships and exited in the quarterfinals at the Olympics in Milan. Christian Künast, the federation's sport director, said the decision followed a period of stagnating development despite a relationship built on trust and respect. Künast will remain in his post. A new coach will lead the team at the 2027 World Championship hosted in Düsseldorf.
