DUTCHMAN ALEXANDER COX has been unveiled as the new head coach of the Ireland men’s hockey team.
Hockey Ireland announced the news this morning, as Cox takes over the reins from Craig Fulton ahead of the Green Machine’s first appearance at a World Cup in 28 years.
South African Fulton ended his decade-long association with Irish hockey last month to take up the position of assistant coach with the Belgium national team.
Cox, who helped steer the Dutch women’s national team to gold at the 2012 Olympics in London and has also held the role of assistant manager with their male counterparts, will now lead Ireland into November’s World Cup in India.
He has been the successful head coach of Kampong men’s team since 2012 and will remain in that role. There, he has guided his side to top the Hoofdklasse two years in-a-row and captured the Eurohockey League title in 2016.
“I’m honoured to be the new head coach of the Irish senior men’s team,” Cox said.
Hockey Ireland is pleased to announce the appointment of Alexander Cox as the new head coach of @IreMenHockey, welcome to the team! https://t.co/WDsmDhzTGu pic.twitter.com/Q5adBKVXIt
— Irish Hockey (@irishhockey) July 23, 2018
“The Irish culture, the work ethic and persistency of the team, motivates me to start our preparation towards the World Cup in India. I’m looking forward to working with the team, staff and Hockey Ireland.”
Hockey Ireland CEO Jerome Pels added: “After an extensive recruitment process, we are delighted Alexander is joining our team, and are excited by what he can bring to the Green Machine and hockey in Ireland.
“His experience speaks for itself and we feel he is the right person to lead the Green Machine in this exciting World Cup year.”
Cox will begin his post on 1 August. Prior to that, Ireland travel to Dusseldorf for the 4 Nations Cup where they will be defending their title against Argentina, Germany and France.
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