Alex Lely has announced his decision to step down as European captain for the annual Mosconi Cup after an undefeated three years in the role.
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Alex Lely steps down after three years as European Mosconi Cup captain
- Thread starter azhousepro
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Good article. Alex Lely will be missed. I wonder if this was his decision or if it's just the norm for a Mosconi Cup captain to end their reign after 3 years. He's a great pool and snooker commentator, as we all know, so he will still be in our pool world, I'm sure.
As far as his replacement, I guess the Matchroom managing director will make that decision. I can't see Karl Boyes being the replacement since he's very happy doing what he's doing now for Matchroom, being a spokesperson and a commentator. Neils Feijen would be a good choice, as would Ralf Souquet. Ralph Eckert gives lessons and would also be a great choice.
Francisco Sanchez Ruiz's father runs a pool school in Spain. I think he'd be worthy of consideration.
Whoever gets chosen by Matchroom's managing director, it has to be somebody that the Team Europe members can gel with. Though it's not a popularity contest, it seems to have to be somebody that Matchroom's managing director likes.
Personally, I'd love to see Fabio Petroni. He teaches pool and has seasoning.
As far as his replacement, I guess the Matchroom managing director will make that decision. I can't see Karl Boyes being the replacement since he's very happy doing what he's doing now for Matchroom, being a spokesperson and a commentator. Neils Feijen would be a good choice, as would Ralf Souquet. Ralph Eckert gives lessons and would also be a great choice.
Francisco Sanchez Ruiz's father runs a pool school in Spain. I think he'd be worthy of consideration.
Whoever gets chosen by Matchroom's managing director, it has to be somebody that the Team Europe members can gel with. Though it's not a popularity contest, it seems to have to be somebody that Matchroom's managing director likes.
Personally, I'd love to see Fabio Petroni. He teaches pool and has seasoning.
I don't think a current player makes sense. That would seem to eliminate guys like Feijen, Appleton, Immonen, Hohmann and Souquet, all of whom might be considered for the captaincy down the road.
Karl Boyes, despite the obvious conflict of interest, would be a very good choice, as would European legend Oliver Ortmann, who is a world champion in both nine ball and straight pool, if he's interested.
Karl Boyes, despite the obvious conflict of interest, would be a very good choice, as would European legend Oliver Ortmann, who is a world champion in both nine ball and straight pool, if he's interested.
My top picks would be Ralf Souquet, Ralph Eckert, or Oliver Ortmann. Not sure they would translate into good coaches, but have earned the respect to have the position. On the flip side and no disrespect to anyone especially JJ, but the position is more a formality than anything else. Someone has to make the lineup. At the end of the day, it's an individual sport and all these players know what to do. A coaches job is to keep them focused and relaxed.
One other thing...he has to be ready to play incase of an emergency (i.e. Covid).
One other thing...he has to be ready to play incase of an emergency (i.e. Covid).
With Alex's comment that he wants to focus on teaching is the USA, I wonder if he would consider captaining Team USA, were the position to open up.