HV71's interim general manager Fredrik Stillman has taken indefinite sick leave due to exhaustion symptoms, following Björn Liljander's earlier absence. The club is working on a replacement while addressing increased hate and threats toward staff. This comes as HV71 grapples with management challenges.
HV71 announced that Fredrik Stillman, who had been serving as interim general manager since late October, is now on sick leave indefinitely due to exhaustion symptoms. This development follows Björn Liljander's sick leave at the end of October, when Stillman stepped in as replacement. "Den assisterande General Managern Fredrik Stillman är sjukskriven tills vidare. Klubben arbetar just nu på en lösning för att ersätta Stillman på positionen," the club stated in its announcement. Stillman will remain on leave "tills vidare med utmattningssymptom."
Club director Richard Nylin expressed concern over the situation, highlighting the pressures involved. "Det är naturligtvis tråkigt och vi försöker stötta Fredrik både som arbetsgivare och kollegor. I nuläget är det viktigt att Fredrik får lugn och ro för att få chansen att bli frisk," Nylin said. He noted that the role of general manager is challenging, especially with poor sporting results leading to excessive external pressure. "Den senaste tiden har mängden hat men även hot skickat till våra medarbetare eskalerat och det är något som vi som arbetsgivare ser allvarligt på."
Nylin, who recently resigned but will stay until March 31 before moving to another role, emphasized the club's support. HV71 chairperson Anna-Lena Isaksson added that the organization is developing a policy against hate, threats, and violations. "Från föreningens sida jobbar vi sedan en tid tillbaka med att ta fram en policy mot hat, hot och kränkningar. Vi kommer att ha nolltolerans och polisanmäla det hat och de hot som kommer mot medarbetare och aktiva i organisationen," she said. The club aims to focus on its core activities and achieve success for HV71 despite these setbacks.