Løkberg, after much thought, has decided that he will retire as a professional footballer after the season. The 32-year-old midfielder confirms this to news. – I have always thought that I will not give up until I am 40 years old. But it’s about timing for what are my options beyond continuing to play football. I have enjoyed myself so much here at Viking, that moving to another place and starting anew, is very much in the back of my mind. It would have quickly become a violent downturn, both sportingly and psychologically, says Løkberg to news. – Wasn’t it relevant to continue in Viking? – No, I understandably did not receive an offer for an extension. We are well stocked in midfield with some on long contracts. In addition, the club has some exciting youngsters up and coming. It would have been a luxury to be able to offer me a contract in addition to that, so I fully understand that priority, he says. NEW CHALLENGES: Kristoffer Løkberg will now prioritize his job as an news expert going forward, but will also be involved as a player developer in Viking. Photo: Carina Johansen / NTB Combining new job with news role The 32-year-old therefore agreed that he wants to end his football career in order to prioritize other roles within football. Løkberg has now accepted a new job in a 30 percent position as player developer in the Viking academy. He has also agreed with news to expand his involvement as a football expert. – Now I get to work even more at news and help build up the football offer there. When I also get a small role in the Viking academy and hopefully enter the NFF’s A license course for coaching training, it finally became a “no-brainer” for me, he says. Løkberg’s dream for the last home game Løkberg’s last home game will be in the Westland derby against Haugesund, in the penultimate round of the series. – It would have meant a lot to be able to say a proper goodbye to our home crowd. But if I start on the bench, and it is right to bring someone else in, then I am more concerned that we win the game. Then I’d rather walk around the field afterwards and cheer for a victory after the match ends. I’ll be upset if we don’t win. Should he continue playing football? Løkberg has decided to make an abrupt end. There will be no wider football for him after his professional life is over. – I don’t think Forus and Gausel (local fourth division team) need to call, that is. It’s fun to play a bit of futsal with my friends when I’m in Trondheim, but I’m not going to sign anywhere. I am the type of person who is better in the Eliteserien than I am in the fourth division. Løkberg will now prioritize the expert job. Has anyone surprised him with the media industry? – I have gained a very conscious relationship with how you can work together to be for the best for each other. Players and coaches may not be fully aware of how to use each other in the best possible way to create an interest in Norwegian football. I know of many players who see the media as a threat, but it’s about mutual respect. Now that he’s giving himself up as a player, can news’s audience expect an even harsher Løkberg? – I always want to be myself. But of course, as I will not be playing in the Eliteserien and have teammates and opponents, I can be even clearer in several matters. But you won’t get a Christian Gauseth expert in me. I will continue to be myself and think what I think is right, not say things just to mean something. Løkberg has matches for both the G16, G17 and G18 national teams. What does he remember best from the national team experiences? – I was terrified the first time I was at a training session. I came as a little boy from Strindheim, a club people hadn’t heard of. There I was going to a meeting with Joshua King, who played for Manchester United. But it was a good litter that has produced a number of good players, such as Fredrik Gulbrandsen, Ruben Gabrielsen, Markus Henriksen, Mushaga Bakenga, Joshua King and Aslak Falck. It was a great experience. Vikings sporting director Erik Nevland thanks Løkberg Erik Nevland is full of praise for the efforts Løkberg has put in for the Stavanger club in recent years. – Kristoffer has meant a lot to Viking since he joined us in the summer of 2019. His professionalism, commitment and quality has been decisive for the team’s development. Kristoffer represents what Viking stands for, power and love, says Nevland to news. Several clubs, both in the Eliteserien and 1st division, have had feelings for the 32-year-old, who played the last half hour on Sunday when Viking turned the game around and beat Sarpsborg 08 away from home. But Løkberg has always been honest that it would take something very special to get him away from Stavanger. – Would rather have too low a job percentage Bad conscience towards his fiancee Amanda, who has moved with him to both Bergen and Stavanger because of football, meant that he found a solution that suits them both perfectly in the next few years. Now they can continue to live in the same city, where they enjoy themselves. – The most important thing for me is that I have something to wake up to in the morning on the days I am not at work for news. Something rewarding and educational, where I can go down to the stadium and be part of an environment where I can develop. I would rather have a vacancy rate that is too low and feel that I work more than I am paid for, than sit with a guilty conscience with a vacancy rate that is too high, he says. Løkberg has signed an agreement that makes him an news expert until the end of 2026. – We are extremely pleased to have Kristoffer in a central role with us going forward. With his reflective football mind and his clear communication skills, he will be a key piece when we try to take up more space with our football coverage in the future, says news’s football manager Mads Håby. – Will be reported both high and low Viking’s general manager Eirik Bjørnø has great respect for the club’s midfield veteran. He believes Løkberg has meant “an incredible amount” to the club both on and off the pitch after he came to Stavanger. – He has set the standard in training and in matches, and led as a good role model for both supporters and his teammates. Rarely have we experienced a player with such a strong passion for club, city and football. He is unique, Bjørnø describes to news. HAPPY: Kristoffer Løkberg is happy and proud of the career he has had. Photo: Carina Johansen / NTB Bjørnø is sure that the outgoing Viking profile will continue to bite well in the years to come. – I think Løkberg will bring both strong professional expertise and playing experience into the role of expert. It will be reported both high and low, but he will probably fall into the “everything was better before trap” he too, says Bjørnø jokingly. Løkberg grins when he hears the quote. – Yes, that is probably absolutely correct. I will become the old, grumpy old man who looks back at the fact that everything was better before, and that everything the new generations are doing is just nonsense, he replies. – What do you dream about now that your football career as a player is over? – I dream of continuing to have a long life in Norwegian football in particular. I think the TV job is great fun and exciting, I like to convey football and perhaps engage in some form of public education and increase understanding of what takes place on and around a football pitch. But I also think I can become a very skilled football coach, he says. – Why can’t I become Norway’s best coach? He has already completed the NFF’s B license in coaching training and has applied for a place on the highest level of education, the A licence. He has high ambitions both as an news expert and football coach. – My mindset is to be the best no matter what I do. If I am a football expert, then I want to be the best and put my soul into being well prepared and up to date. And the day I decide to go “all in” to become a football coach, I don’t see any limitations for myself. Why can’t I become Norway’s best football coach in the long term? You have to have ambitions and believe in yourself, but I have to be quite humble as well. WANT TO FINISH IN STYLE: Kristoffer Løkberg has some clear dreams and ambitions for the end of the season. Photo: Ole Martin Wold / NTB He ends up with over 130 matches in the Eliteserien for Ranheim, Brann and Viking. The elite series debut for Ranheim in 2018, when he scored two goals as captain in the 4-1 victory against Stabæk in the series opener after promotion the previous year, he looks back on as one of the biggest highlights of his career. See the goals here: But one thing still bothers him a little. – I should have had a hat trick in that match. I had my third goal wrongly disallowed for offside, he says with a smile. – But you are cup champion, then, with Viking in 2019. What does it mean to you to have won something now that you are putting it up? – It is actually very important. It has driven me all my life, winning. I have the king’s trophy on the shelf, it actually means a lot now. That, and the fact that we moved up with Ranheim after the playoff, those remain as the two big victories for me. – Would be rude to many Now that his career is coming to an end, he chooses to be satisfied with what he has achieved. He got to experience professional life abroad when he signed for Sheffield United as a teenager, he has played U-national matches for the G16, G17 and G18 national teams and established himself as an important player over several years in the Eliteserien. – When I have told people that I am now going to quit, I often get the question: “Are you satisfied?” If I’m not proud of the career I’ve had, then it’s pretty unfair to the very, very many boys and girls who sacrifice tooth and nail to even get half the opportunities and experiences I’ve had in football , he says. Sent the mountains to the sky with this long shot 00:31 Wiping the pitch with a helicopter: – Crazy idea 00:53 Norwegian 12-year-old got NBA opportunity: – Was very nervous 01:14 Cancer sufferer Filip got to meet Haaland 01:36 Show more Published 28.10. 2024, at 06.59
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