The strange case of Dmitri Kravchenko resignation

Some days ago head coach of Belarus champion Neman Grodno Dmitry Kravchenko suddenly resigned from his position. It was a bolt from the blue: team is current leader of the league and Kravchenko earns respect in Belarus hockey working very well with Neman from 2009-10 season, winning the title with the club last season, when he was elected Coach of the Year. Even more strange because on January 2 the club made an (unrequested) official statement saying that "in the near future are not planned changes in the coaching staff, at least until the end of the season.The club's management hopes that the fans will trust only in official informations".

But on January 11 rumours about a Kravchenko resignation are confirmed and coach left the club, despite an open letter written by fans to persuade him to stay and a tentative by the club: "Head coach came and wrote a statement that he wants to leave the club for family reasons, we tried to persuade Dmitry to stay, but he refused" said Neman Chairman of the Board Anatoly Varivonchik. Questioned what were exactly the "family reasons", Anatoly Varivonchik broke off "It doesn't matter to me.I can not comment on other people's family circumstances". Assistant coach Eduard Valliulin was named interim headcoach and the case seems closed, but yesterday a new chapter was opened in this strange affair when Head of Sport and Tourism of the Grodno Oblast Oleg Andreichik reveals that Kravchenko asked to coach children at the Grodno Olympic Center, adding that: "in recent days, he has repeatedly expressed his desire to leave the club and eventually wrote a statement in which he asked to be relieved of his position.It was decided to terminate the employment relationship by mutual consent. I personally met Dmitry several times over the last week, asked him to stay. However, he made it clear that don't want to change his mind.Explaining his decision to us, he referred to fatigue, psychological condition and family circumstances. In addition, Dmitry asked me to give him a job coach at the center of Grodno Hockey Olympic Center. Now he will train young hockey players born in 2007"

So, the coach of the year and the current champion of Belarus leaves his job to work with 6-years-old children? Finally yesterday Kravchenko made a first declaration, very understatement, saying: "I worked in icehockey for a long time, so, of course, the decision was not easy for me, I received full support by the club and the players, a big thanks to them for that. Something happened? I cannot comment anything about this, because, in principle, nothing happened. I'm leaving Neman for family reasons."

But the further unexpected progress arrives today when newspaper Pressball reveals Kravchenko could face a criminal charge: According to the publication, Kravchenko on the night of December 29, after losing the game against Metallurg Zhlobin, had a fight with the club bus driver. Outbreaks of conflict were two: during  the journey and on arrival. After a verbal altercation Kravchenko, probably intoxicated, punched, threw bottles and even small pointed objects to the driver. Only a police patrol could calm the coach.The club tried to hush the episode, but not the bus driver who reported Kravchenko. After this revelation, later today Kravchenko made a second statement, but questioned about the episode, simply said: "What happened the night of 29 December? Now I don't want to discuss it. What would you say in my place: who is good, who's bad? What they say ... Well, let say." concluding with a cryptic: "about the resignation, now I don't want to talk. I have nothing to say. Yet..."

Waiting for the next episode.....

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