Bern ice hockey club are to dismiss their coach, Pekka Rautakallio, at the end of the current season. The 47-year-old Finn is being prematurely released from his contract, which had been due to expire in 2002.

The club's management said that Bern needed "a change of style" after two years under Rautakallio. They also confirmed that the Finn would remain in charge of the team for the rest of the season, but gave no details about any severance deal.

Rautakallio came to Bern from the Finnish first division side Espoo, and had previously enjoyed a successful five-year spell training Swiss side Rapperswil.

So far this season the ten-times Swiss champions have struggled to find consistency. Tipped by many as outside contenders for the championship before the season began, the team are currently languishing in the sixth place.

swissinfo with agencies

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