Edmonton Oilers former coach Ralph Krueger was broken up with in possibly the worst way over the weekend: he was dumped over Skype.
Krueger told the Edmonton Sun he was "blindsided" by a conversation with general manager Craig MacTavish over the online call and chat program.
Krueger explained he received a friend request from MacTavish while on vacation at his home in Switzerland Friday. He accepted the request and had a short conversation, no more than five minutes,in which he was informed thathe was fired as head coach, reports Canada.com.
"I'd never been fired in 24 years as a hockey coach and it was the first time I'd had a conversation with Craig MacTavish by Skype," Krueger told the Sun.
"I definitely did not see it coming," said Krueger.
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Krueger was fired after just one season on the job, leaving behind a 19-22-7 record — 10 points out of a playoff spot.
"I've quickly come to the conclusion that it's a waste of energy to try to understand," Krueger told the Edmonton Journal.
MacTavish defended his decision to fire Krueger at a news conference Saturday.
“Philosophically, I differ somewhat with Ralph, and it doesn’t mean my strategy is right or Ralph’s strategy is right,” he said.
“But I’m the general manager, and it’s my job and my decision to make. That’s why I’ve made that decision.”
The unconventional firing raised plenty of eyebrows, but some see it as a move based on practicality.
The Oilers are expected to introduce Dallas Eakins as their new head coach at a news conference Monday.