KUALA LUMPUR: New national singles badminton head coach Kenneth Jonassen won't be the fiery type that gives his players the hairdryer treatment.
The Dane prefers to inspire players to victory and bleed with them in defeat.
The BAM singles supremo stressed that it is never his style to come into a new setup and tell his charges that everything has to be done his way.
He believes in joint decisions and building a close relationship through a lot of discussions. This is to make players realise the importance of taking ownership of their own careers.
"I'm not the kind of person that comes and tells the players this is how it's going to be. I need to have a lot of discussions to get more details as I will be with new players, system and culture," said Jonassen at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.
"I must build a good and honest relationship and eventually educate the players to have individual ownership of their careers.
"Ownership for me is having joint decisions about their objectives and achieving them in their careers. I will carry some of the ownership, but the players have to carry the most to achieve their goals.
"I'm happy for them when they win, and I bleed with them in defeat and always give a shoulder to cry on.
"The players would need me more when they lose rather than when they win, and I would be there to motivate them.
"Of course, I understand there will be doubts on the way due to injuries and lack of results, but we can come up with constructive ways."
Meanwhile, Jonassen is also keen to learn how the Asian system works in order to merge with the European style.
"I really don't know the difference between the European and Asian ways. That's something for me to find out. It's better for me to observe and ask a lot of questions in the initial months to know more," added Jonassen.
"I am not only here to train the players but also to develop myself. With better knowledge, I believe we can strike a balance with the best of both worlds."
Jonassen's trustworthy nature has been one of the reasons for his success rate as a coach. This is the reason why Viktor Axelsen, despite becoming an independent shuttler after winning the 2021 Olympic gold, made it a point to return to train under Jonassen for major events.
The Malaysian singles shuttlers should go places if they can get the best out of Jonassen in his four-year stint here until 2028.