GreekHockeyCoach Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 I've been debating since yesterday on whether or not to create this thread for the obvious reasons, that it would turn into an English versus French debate and aggravate a bunch of people. However, in all fairness, this is a very hot topic right now throughout the hockey world and it is being widely discussed out in the open. Therefore, it's only fair that we get to discuss it here as well. I only ask that you be respectful in your opinions. Having said that, I wish to share mine. I believe that it would be preferable if a coach for the Montreal Canadiens was bilingual for the obvious reasons. I'm fluent in French and let's not forget that French is an official language of Canada. What I'm against is hiring a coach for that reason and that reason alone. I think it's time that the Canadiens organization looked at excellence in coaching as opposed to what language the coach speaks. If the best candidate is bilingual, hire him. If he's not, hire the coach that's the most qualified to bring home the cup. 15 years is long enough. I look forward to a respectable debate in this thread. I am also adding a poll. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MLSE_Mgmt_A_Disgrace Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 I agree with you. If the preferred coach is bilingual so be it, but I don't think it should be a prerequisite for the job. The GM and Owner should be looking for a coach who is able to give results. If it happens that the person is English only or French only should have nothing to do in the decision. That being said, however, the coach also needs to be able to communicate with the team. I'm sure most, if not all, players speak English and French (and a few others for some of them). So the new coach will have to be able to speak the language the team as a whole is most comfortable with. I don't see the need to hire a coach to keep the "Quebec Reporters" happy by having press conferences in both languages.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColRouleBleu Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 French, as any other language, can be learned. If the best candidate available according to other hiring criteria doesn't speak French, he should be willing to learn the basics of the language and that would be enough. I think it is important that the numerous Habs fans who dont understand English much get to have comments from the coach of 'their' team (not from a TV translator) in a language that they understand. Here's a candidate suggestion: lets hire Bykov, he's qualified, he's bilingual, actually his French is excellent ... oops there is still a handful of players on the team who dont understand Russian or French Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedLightRacicot Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 I'm sure we missed out on a couple of good coaches in the past because they were not bilingual, I don't want that to happen again. It would certainly be an advantage to have a bilingual coach but it' what he does on the ice that counts. Maybe a someone who can speak Russian! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habs-24 Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 this franchise is hindered in some ways by thinking it needs a bilingual coach, for example if you had a choice between quinn or some bilingual guy who would it be? i dont think you could pass up the opportunity to have quinn coach this team, but more than likely they would just because he isnt bilingual and thats going to be a problem forever with this franchise until they prove otherwise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bourne Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 I agree with you. If the preferred coach is bilingual so be it, but I don't think it should be a prerequisite for the job. The GM and Owner should be looking for a coach who is able to give results. If it happens that the person is English only or French only should have nothing to do in the decision. That being said, however, the coach also needs to be able to communicate with the team. I'm sure most, if not all, players speak English and French (and a few others for some of them). So the new coach will have to be able to speak the language the team as a whole is most comfortable with. I don't see the need to hire a coach to keep the "Quebec Reporters" happy by having press conferences in both languages.... Actually aside from the guys born in Quebec and Boullion, who is originally from New York none of the players speak French. This has been one of the reasons Koivu has been targeted relentlessly by the media, because despite being the captain for nearly a decade, he cannot speak French. As for the topic at hand, I agree with Greek, while it would be best for everyone if the next coach were bilingual. It should not be a sought out requirement. The management should be looking for the best man to fill the stop regardless if he speaks French, English or Russian; if he is a proven winner I could care less. Being bilingual should be viewed upon has an add bonus after having hired that coach and nothing more. Worse comes to worse we can hire a translator and/or the new coach can learn French over the summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zonave Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 I don't think the new coach should have to be bilingual, but it would be a great help. There are so many players from different regions that at least a second language is very helpful. It will also help with the media not needing to translate, and just have the coach speak in 2 languages. It could also ease those who say that the Canadiens need more "real Canadiens." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babinator77 Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 French, as any other language, can be learned. If the best candidate available according to other hiring criteria doesn't speak French, he should be willing to learn the basics of the language and that would be enough. I think it is important that the numerous Habs fans who dont understand English much get to have comments from the coach of 'their' team (not from a TV translator) in a language that they understand. Here's a candidate suggestion: lets hire Bykov, he's qualified, he's bilingual, actually his French is excellent ... oops there is still a handful of players on the team who dont understand Russian or French i was going to suggest pavel bure or tretiak - but they probably don't have any coaching experience. i agree with you. while it's not easy for everyone to learn languages (ie me), the effort should be made to learn the basics. i don't see anything wrong with that. that said, the basics might not make that coach feel comfortable enough to speak french in an interview. does just making an effort matter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 The best candidate should be the focus. The media can hire themselves a translator if necessary. I would also hope the media or politicians do not start any type of smear campaign (making it a language issue) should the Habs choose to not hire a bilingual coach. The team doesnt need those type of distractions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babinator77 Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 i dont think you could pass up the opportunity to have quinn coach this team, but more than likely they would just because he isnt bilingual and thats going to be a problem forever with this franchise until they prove otherwise i'd prefer a coach who's won the cup regardless of language. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darren19 Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 French, as any other language, can be learned. If the best candidate available according to other hiring criteria doesn't speak French, he should be willing to learn the basics of the language and that would be enough. I think it is important that the numerous Habs fans who dont understand English much get to have comments from the coach of 'their' team (not from a TV translator) in a language that they understand. Coachs come and go and French takes years to learn, just hearing Gainey speak French annoys the hell out of me, he's not fluent enough. It's really the media that are making a big deal out of this, not the fans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteenIsThaFuture Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 From a pure hockey ops standpoint, I laugh at this question. However the Habs are much more than a hockey team, they are a culture, they are a figuremark to this city. When people hear Habs news, the city stops working. They are intertwined into the society, which is why they need a bilingual coach. For thr press conferences, the charity events and everything else that would require the Head Coach to make a public appearance, he needs to speak both languages because like it or not, he becomes a part of the city when he becomes the coach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshizzle Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 Im French and I really could not be bothers if it is a french coach or english. Todays NHL is English, and even european players have to adapt to it. Its just Arrogance is all it is, there are great english speaking coaches out there, and as long as they are guiding the team to victory it shouldnt matter. We have came from a time where the Montreal Faithfull would boo the English version of OUR national Anthem. So we should also adapt and accept whatever coach we gire. Then again, the media bashes Saku after all he has done because he doesnt speak french. Give me a break. If you want pure french, go to Huets Hometown in France. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbsanfte Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 Peu importe s'il ne parle pas francais... il faut juste qu'il parle hockey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 You would have to feel for the French only fans of the Habs should they choose an English only coach. I ask myself the question how i would feel if the Habs hired a French only coach and wasnt able to understand his post game analysis or comments regarding the team,,, other than through a translator. Being bilingual myself its difficult to gage just how exactly i would feel. I would hope that it wouldnt bother me, as long as the coach was the best candidate and was getting results. Its not as simple as just taking language lessons. Its very difficult to articulate in 2 tongues in an equally comfortable way. Although i am fluent in French,, i find it very difficult to express myself in the same fashion as i do in English,, mainly because i was born and raised in Ontario and my exposure to French is very limited. I'm certain the reverse would also apply. As somebody else has mentioned,,,,a good example would be BG. I would much rather listen to his comments and impressions in English rather then in French. Although he makes a valiant effort at his French its obvious that you dont get the same level of incite from his responces as you do in English. I would rather see him respond in English (in detail rather then through his limited language skills )and receive a translated version from an interpretor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne-1 Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 as long as the two languages are "offense" and "defense" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leafs_rock_go_mccabe Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 I said, "No." It would be amazing if we could have a bilingual coach (and I wouldn't mind seeing Hartley be that man), but after watching the tenure of Carbonneau, I really believe we need to hire the best man available. No matter what his spoken languages are. Living in Montreal (and I might be wrong) I don't think Montrealers, in general, care too much either. I think they want to see a winner more than they want to see a bilingual coach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtlhabsfan_mtl Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 Its called the Rosetta Stone....learn any language in a couple of months Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubbles_TPB Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 Is Don Lever bilingual? He might end up being our coach next season if Bob can't find anyone better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreekHockeyCoach Posted March 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 Is Don Lever bilingual? He might end up being our coach next season if Bob can't find anyone better. He only speaks English. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubbles_TPB Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 He only speaks English. I don't think that should stop him from being the head coach next year if that's who is best for the job. The whole team should be speaking English all the time anyway, since lots of the players don't know French. And since lots of the players don't know French, why should our coach need to know it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bear-Cove-Hab Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 it is insane to HAVE to have a coach that speaks french. Everyone on the team speaks english, and they are the ones a coach must communicate with. Who cares if the french media need to translate what is said at press conferences. Are the Habs really going to be so accomidating to the media? Who unfairly rip this team apart when the slightest negative comes up? Hire the BEST coach, whoever that may be. If they speak french, that can be considered a bonus, but not a selling point IMO I think someone like Crawford could work in Montreal, but thre are actually several good options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewraras Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 While I don't believe it should be a necessary quality in order to get the job, I think it would be imperative for the coach to display a willingness and determination to learn the language. I myself am not bilingual, and I'm quite convinced that I have missed out on some good information and insights from the French-language broadcasters and media. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynch_mtl Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 If he can communicate with the players, he can speak Chinese for all I care. Noone should consider the media when answering this question. Accomidating for the media is less important than how he communicates with players, and how the players feel about him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColRouleBleu Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 Don Lever: «Si je dois apprendre le français, je le ferai rapidement!» (If I have to learn French, I will do it quickly) cyberpresse.ca Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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