Krickau lands on his feet in Berlin despite difficult start

Nicolej Krickau landed on his feet in Berlin despite a tumultuous start, taking the reins of Füchse Berlin in a difficult situation. The club had surprisingly fired a popular and successful head coach and sports director just a few games into the new season. Adding to the pressure, Krickau, who had been dismissed from Flensburg-Handewitt in December 2024, lost his first two league matches as the new coach, including a humiliating defeat against a championship rival.

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It was of course a difficult start, and we knew it would be when difficult decisions are made, as Berlin did at that time.

"It was of course a difficult start, and we knew it would be when difficult decisions are made, as Berlin did at that time," Krickau said. The recognition of his success comes as Füchse Berlin stands on the brink of the Champions League Final Four. Krickau successfully navigated the team through the turbulent beginning, which saw Füchse Berlin face a massive booing from the home crowd after a clear 32-39 loss to rivals Magdeburg in the coach's debut.

"It didn't actually affect my work. We were resigned to the fact that there would be a big reaction when such a decision is made," Krickau stated. "What has been decisive from day one has been how the players have handled it. Even though it was a shock for all of them, they have been incredibly skilled in cooperating with me."

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It didn't actually affect my work. We were resigned to the fact that there would be a big reaction when such a decision is made.

As the season progressed, the Danish coach has increasingly influenced the already well-functioning team. "There is, of course, something professional about getting to know your players in the middle of a season instead of during pre-season," he noted. "All the emotional aspects, we knew they would be significant in the first month or two, but we were convinced that if we got back on a playing track, it would eventually settle down. And it did."

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What has been decisive from day one has been how the players have handled it. Even though it was a shock for all of them, they have been incredibly skilled in cooperating with me.

Krickau believes he has added an extra dimension to Füchse Berlin's attack, particularly with a seven-on-six advantage, while also developing a more flexible defense. These tactical adjustments are key as the Berlin club aims for success this weekend in Cologne's Lanxess Arena. This weekend marks Krickau's first Champions League Final Four appearance, a stage he is proud to reach. "One is, of course, deeply focused on the task when one is here, but I am also proud to be here," Krickau said. "And I am proud that I personally succeeded in going from being fired to saying no to some opportunities to wait for the right one. So I am proud to be here and be sure that I chose correctly."

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There is, of course, something professional about getting to know your players in the middle of a season instead of during pre-season. All the emotional aspects, we knew they would be significant in the first month or two, but we were convinced that if we got back on a playing track, it would eventually settle down. And it did.