Ralph Krueger

Ralph Krueger has carved a multifaceted career path, transitioning from a professional ice hockey player to a coach in both ice hockey and association football, and now serving in leadership roles within sports organizations. After leading VEU Feldkirch to five consecutive Austrian Championships between 1994 and 1998, and securing a European Hockey League Championship in 1998, Ralph Krueger established himself as a preeminent figure in ice hockey coaching. Prior to his coaching success, Krueger played in the German Bundesliga, accumulating 187 goals and 186 assists in 350 games. His playing career included a notable 1980-81 season with Düsseldorfer EG, where he led the playoffs in scoring with 22 points, and he represented West Germany in 45 international games.

Krueger then served as Head Coach for the Swiss men’s national ice hockey team from 1997 to 2010, guiding them through three Olympic Games (2002, 2006, 2010) and multiple World Championship appearances, earning the NL Coach of the Year award in 2005-06. Krueger continued his progression in the NHL, joining the Edmonton Oilers as an Associate Coach in 2010 before being promoted to Head Coach for the 2012-13 NHL season. Following his tenure with the Oilers, he contributed as a team consultant for Hockey Canada during the 2014 Winter Olympics, where Canada successfully secured a gold medal. In 2014, Krueger made a significant career transition into association football, taking on leadership roles at Southampton Football Club in the English Premier League, initially as a director and subsequently as Chairman, a position he held until 2019.

He is also the author of the motivational book ‘Teamlife – Über Niederlagen zum Erfolg,’ which became a bestseller, further cementing his influence in leadership and performance circles.