The contract with the 1st division team expires at the end of the season. Today, the player group was informed that it will stop after three years with Tore André Flo as head coach. In a press release, Tore André Flo says that the time has now come to pass on the baton. – My contract is about to expire, I have done everything I can for Sogndal for three years. It actually feels right for all parties that I pass the baton on to the next coach, says Flo to news. – The last three years have been an incredibly rewarding period in my career. I am proud of the players’ efforts, the club’s support and the loyal supporters who have always been there for us, says Flo. Sogndal coach Tore André Flo says that his period coaching Sogndal Football has been incredibly rewarding. Photo: Christian Blom / NTB Flo: – The results matter The former national team player took over as head coach from Eirik Bakke at New Year 2022. Flo had a rich career as a player, where he played for Chelsea, Rangers, Leeds, Brann, Vålerenga and Sogndal. – I am humbled and proud to have been coached by a club I am so fond of, says Flo. This is Tore Andre Flo Photo: Oddleif Løset / news Born: 15 June 1973 Raised: Stryn Awards: Player of the Year in 1998 Occupation: Academy coach at Chelsea FC Credits: Won the Cup Winners’ Cup with Chelsea in 1998 Won the English League Cup with Chelsea in 1998 Won the English FA cup with Chelsea in 2000 Won the Scottish FA and league cup with Chelsea in 2002 Was Norwegian league champion with Vålerenga in 2005 Career: 1993–1994 Sogndal 44 (21) 1994–1995 Tromsø 26 (18) 1996–1997 Brann 40 ( 28) 1997–2000 Chelsea 149 (50) 2000–2002 Rangers 72 (38) 2002–2003 Sunderland 29 (4) 2003–2005 Siena 63 (13) 2005–2006 Vålerenga 24 (4) 2006–2008 Leeds United 23 (4) 2008–2009 Milton Keynes Dons 13 (0) 2011–2012 Sogndal 19 (2) 1993–2011 Total 492 (182) National team: 1995–2004 Norway 76 (23) Source: Store Norske Lexicon/Wikipedia Åra with Flo at the helm has given Sogndal 7th and 6th place in the 1st division. With eight games left of this year’s season, Sogndal is in 9th place. After a good spring season, there has only been one point in the last five games. – If we had been at the top of the table and everything was in the sky, it would have been easier to stay longer. I don’t hide it. The results matter. Dressing room talk The players learned about the 51-year-old’s decision in the dressing room before today’s training. – We knew that he was on an expiring contract, but it was not certain that he would give up. That though as a bit of a shock. It did, says forward Erik Hovden Flataker. Center back Daniel Arrocha joined the club in January last year. – It was of course a surprise. We didn’t know anything until today, says Arrocha. – But football is about results, so you can imagine that it can have an impact, he adds. Former Sogndal player Jon Navarsete is not as surprised. – I have been to many training sessions and talked to him. I know he has thought a lot about the situation, he says. – Do you think the players will be affected by the new hand? – They are probably a little surprised, but then they have to come to terms with themselves. The coach is responsible, but it is the players who perform on the pitch. – A living legend in the village Daily manager of Sogndal Football, Gisle Olsen, says that there is no drama in Flo quitting. – This is a personal choice on his part, he says and adds that the parties have had ongoing dialogue about this in September. – He is a living legend in the village and in Norwegian football, it is a personality and capacity that has been with us for three years. Now the work to find a new coach starts. – We follow Norwegian top football and follow what is available. There is also talk of who is available and who fits in with us, says Olsen. Chairman Jan Rune Årøy of Sogndal Football was informed of the decision earlier this week. – I fully understand the decision he has taken, especially in light of the results and performance now. But I think it’s terribly sad that we haven’t got the results we had this spring. Focus on the end of the season The job in Sogndal is his first job as head coach. He has been an assistant on both the U18 and U21 national teams. He has not yet decided on the way forward after Sogndal. He is focusing on getting as good an end as possible to his time as head coach at Fosshaugane. – In football, you don’t always know what will happen in the future. You have to be part of that merry-go-round, so I can see what happens with a positive attitude. Published 18.09.2024, at 10.35 Updated 18.09.2024, at 14.02
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