Overview
- The Deutsche Eishockey-Bund announced on Friday, June 5, 2026, that Harold Kreis’s contract was ended by mutual agreement and took effect immediately.
- The federation said an intensive analysis found the team’s development had stagnated and called for an 'unburdened' coach to lead preparations for the 2027 home tournament.
- Criticism of Kreis in recent tournaments focused on tactical choices and game management, including decisions on timeouts, use of challenge reviews, and how top players were deployed.
- No successor has been appointed and media reports naming candidates such as Uwe Krupp, Korbinian Holzer, and Mat McIlwain remain unconfirmed; DEB sport director Christian Künast will stay in his role.
- The move follows a sharp performance swing since 2023 — silver at the World Championship, then a February 2026 Olympic quarterfinal exit in Milan and a 10th-place finish after an early 2026 World Championship exit — and raises pressure on staff, player selection, and public confidence ahead of the home event.