– We play with kits that say Oslo. It’s quite funny, smiles Tor Thodesen on the phone from Senegal. Perhaps you remember him as the man behind Sandefjord’s promotion to the Tippeligaen in 2005? Or as the coach behind Vålerenga’s cup gold in 1997? You have probably also heard the voice, Thodesen was news’s expert commentator on Norwegian football back in 2008 and 2009. The 56-year-old from Nøtterøy has had a long and fast-paced career in Norwegian football, Eastern Europe and the United Arab Emirates. The last stop in Norway was in Kvik Halden in 2021, but now it is clear what will be Thodesen’s next challenge. TRAINER: Thodesen was a trainer for Kvik Halden until November 2021. Photo: Beate Oma Dahle / NTB He has moved to Africa, specifically Dakar in Senegal, and is manager of the club called Oslo Football Academy Dakar. The professional team plays at level two in Senegal, and it is not without reason that it has been named Oslo. – Of course, the aim is to sell players, it’s a bit in the name, Thodesen says to news, but points out that there are several factors why the team is now running around with Oslo on the kit. – Alluring To explain Thodesen’s career direction, we have to rewind time to 2006. That was the year when most things went as they should for Thodesen. Sandefjord played at the highest level, and the recognition of the promotion was shown in the award for coach of the year in the same year. It was also the year that Thodesen met Youssoupha Fall from Senegal. He is the man behind many Senegalese transfers to Norwegian football. Thodesen signed Malick Mane of Fall. And from there the ball started rolling. SENEGAL PROFILE: Former Sandefjord player Malick Mane will have a bit of an era for Thodesen still in Senegal. Photo: Trond Reidar Teigen / NTB The duo have kept in touch for nearly ten years, and talked freely and casually about Thodesen becoming a coach for a Senegalese team. It wasn’t until Fall started his own club, named Oslo Football Academy Dakar, that the idea became a reality. And now Thodesen has signed a three-year contract with evaluation after one year. – Now the time had come, and it suited me very well. It’s so exciting for me to get something completely different, and after being in Asia and Eastern Europe, Africa has always been alluring, says Thodesen. It didn’t take him long to take the job, he thinks it’s relatively safe because of his relationship with Fall and thinks it’s great that this opportunity has now come up. Then there is something endearing about the suits showing Oslo. Developing the offer If we are to believe Thodesen, it is no coincidence that the team has been given that name. – Fall got its first bite with me, and saw the potential in sending players to Scandinavia and Norway first, so that they could be honed there before they went on to Europe. It has proven to work, says Thodesen. OUTFIT: Thodesen admits that the club name is special. Photo: Baye Niasse / Record Media – Is the goal of the club to sell players? – It is clear that it is very difficult to make money from football here, if you do not sell players. It is not like a European market in terms of sponsors or public support. Selling players means that the club can develop much faster than if you didn’t do it, says Thodesen. He continues: – But Fall is very clear that it is to be able to reinvest that money in construction and development. It is a large club with age-specific teams. The main goal is to run a good club in Dakar, he says. EMIRATA: Thodesen was assistant coach for Baniyas in Abu Dhabi between 2012 and 2014. Here he is at a national team meeting in the Emirates. Photo: Berit Roald / NTB Challenges with the French No, Thodesen is happy to get started. He has got himself a private driver, interpreter and is looking forward to starting in his new position as manager. From a sporting point of view, he couldn’t ask for more, but from a private point of view, it seems a bit far-fetched. This is also why he has stipulated that an evaluation should take place after one year. – I have to throw myself around and get to know the other trainers, and try to build those relationships to get this going. There are many challenges, not least linguistic. The French is not quite there yet. – I can regret that I was not a little more enthusiastic in the French lessons at secondary school, so to speak. I have to try to shake off something from him. I have to try to get a bit of command language on the field, so I’d rather use an interpreter during player conversations, he says. Oslo Football Academy Dakar still in 6th place in their debut season in the Senegalese second division last year. This year’s season starts in just under two weeks.
ttn-69
Norwegian coaching profile was lured to Oslo – in Senegal – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
