Ex-Oilers coach Ralph Krueger named chairman of English Premier League team

Ralph Krueger coached Edmonton to a 19-22-7 record in 2012. (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Former Edmonton Oilers coach Ralph Krueger has been named chairman of Southampton F.C. of the the English Premier League, according to an announcement Wednesday from the team.

The 51-year-old Krueger said in a statement that he is honored to accept the role:

“We will build on that soul by creating platforms of open communication both inside with the staff and outside with our fan base. Although there is a solid foundation in place, the Club still has tremendous untapped commercial potential. We will continue to nurture ‘The Southampton Way’ by reaching for consistent growth in all departments to ultimately build a culture that allows Southampton to remain healthy and sustainable in the future.”

The club's owner, Katharina Liebherr, pointed to Krueger's "background in major league sport at all levels." Krueger, who had previously served as a top aide to Liebherr, had spent 13 years as head coach of the Swiss national hockey team, coached the Oilers for a year in 2012 and just returned from Team Canada's gold medal performance in the Sochi Olympics:

“Ralph has an impressive background in major league sport at all levels, it is his experience as an expert in leadership, motivation and team-building that makes him ideally suited for this important position in the Saints organisation. He has been a leading advisor and coach to senior management in large international corporations for the past 20 years."

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