HV71 is second last in the SHL and that led to Tommy Samuelsson being fired on Monday.

In an interview with Expressen, Samuelsson said that the decision was the board's and not Kent Norberg's.

This is what the sporting director himself says about it:

- I've never been a big fan of firing coaches, at the same time I saw that we haven't been able to do it in terms of results.

We have strengthened the team and brought in Hjalmarsson, LaLeggia, Kaski, Lenc and Shore, but we have scored less since then.

Somewhere I also felt that something would possibly be done.

Then the question was when it would be done.

Should we give it another week or not?

And the board was very clear about that, says Norberg.

"I know a lot of people say"

The fact that the board makes the final decision, and not the sporting director, has meant that Norberg's mandate in the club has been called into question.

- I know that many say that my role is being undermined, and of course that can certainly be so.

At the same time, I have been on the whole journey and I have also been frustrated that the results have not come.

I accept the board's decision and also believe that it was necessary in the long run.

He does not want to speculate on what the decision-making process in this case means for Norberg's future at the club.

- No clue.

I live here and now.

Then if I'm the next man to leave or whatever it might be, I can't go thinking along those lines.

I have to do my job for HV71, he says and continues:

- I have a great relationship with the board.

It's not a problem, absolutely not.

Norberg has not resented the fact that the board made the decision to fire Samuelsson and assistant coach Fredrik Stillman.

- I have no problem with that.

I know it was a special decision.

I have nothing more to comment on that.

In any case, I have full confidence when it comes to players and such.

It is probably not the first time that a board has fired a coach without perhaps the sporting director wanting it.

Johan Lindbom has taken over the main responsibility as coach for the rest of the season.

Tonight, Hockey Night has a big focus on HV71.

See the broadcast at 22.00 on SVT1.