It is Molde itself that confirms the firing in a press release on Sunday evening.
– It is with a heavy heart that we have delivered this message to Erling. But in a preliminary overall assessment of the results this season, the conclusion is that we have not performed well enough. We want new energy to lead the team forward in 2025, says chairman Odd Ivar Moen of Molde Football Club.
Molde confirms that Trond Strande and Eirik Mæland will lead the team in the last two matches of the 2024 League. The job of finding Moe’s replacement starts immediately.
MOLDE MAN: Erling Moe has spent around 20 years in Molde Football Club in various roles.
Moe took over as head coach of Molde from Solskjær before the 2019 season, when Solskjær moved to Manchester United. Solskjær has not coached any clubs since he was fired from the English club in the fall of 2021.
– He has played for the club and has coached here successfully before. In addition, he has that vast experience from the Premier League, Hareide tells NRK, affirming with a resounding “yes!” that he is launching Solskjær as the new Molde coach.
He has also conveyed the same to Romsdals Budstikke.
– I actually don’t know which other coaches in Norway coudl take over MFK as the club stands now. There aren’t many candidates who are both skilled enough, available on the market, and willing to work here, the coaching veteran continues to the newspaper.
– Candidate number one
Also expert colleague Kristoffer Løkberg believes Solskjær is a natural person to contact.
– I woudl assume that call will be made relatively quickly, if it hasn’t been made already. He is undoubtedly the biggest asset they could get, and he doesn’t live to far away, says Løkberg.
– He is probably candidate number one for everyone working in Molde, but then it depends on whether the realism is there and if he sees it as a possibility to go back to Molde. He probably feels that he has been there and done that, and had two periods of great success.
– If they sense a slight chance that Ole Gunnar wants to return to that job,they are probably working hard on that track and will then land on plan B or C if that is not feasible,he says.
FORMERLY KNOWN: Solskjær coached, among others, erling Braut Haaland in molde.
– Has gone very fast
After Molde’s cup final loss to Fredrikstad on Saturday, Hareide stated that he would have kept Moe if he had the choice.
– The biggest perishable good in the world is football because two years ago he led Molde to a dominating league championship by 18 points. I think it’s a shame as he has done a lot of good for Molde Football Club and has been a solid, secure, and good coach for many years, Hareide tells NRK on Sunday evening – and continues:
– But that’s how it is indeed when results are against you, it ends with that consequence. That’s how this business is, unfortunatly. He will surely find some new jobs,he continues.
NRK’s football expert Carl-Erik Torp says the firing is surprising.
– It has gone very fast. There have been many questions about his position, but that it happened so quickly right after the cup final was surprising. Everyone thinks the results in the last two years have been too weak, even though they won the cup last year and reached the cup final this year.
Without European play
Molde finished in fifth place in the Eliteserien.After losing in a penalty shootout in the cup, it became clear that 2025 will be their first season without European play since 2017.
“This is far from the club’s goals and ambitions, and thus it has consequences for the head coach,” says Molde’s press release.
– These things are always difficult because there is a lot of shouting after a game like yesterday (Saturday), and they lost the chance to get into Europe, Hareide says – and continues:
– The emotions are high among the supporters, and there are certainly many assessments we do not know well enough about. It’s always a shame when a coach has to go, especially with Erling. I know him well, and he has done a very good job.
FEELS FOR MOE: Åge hareide thinks it’s a pity that Erling Moe cannot continue.
– An old coach once said to me: “Don’t stay longer than two years in the same club if you’ve won a league championship because there will always come a downturn and difficulties. You should leave after winning something, even though everyone wants you to stay. Then you can come back to the club later,” Hareide recounts.
With Moe as head coach, Molde won two league titles (2019 and 2022) and two cup titles (2021 and 2023). On September 16 of this year, he extended his contract until 2026.Less than three months later, it is over.
THE LAST TROPHY: Here Erling Moe celebrates Molde’s cup victory in 2023.
– What I’m focused on now is the cup final. that’s why we are here. The rest we can deal with afterwards, replied Erling Moe.
– Again, it’s the cup final we are here for now. These questions cannot be answered right now, Moe said.
The 54-year-old started as a talent developer and coach coordinator in Molde’s growth department back in 2005. He has remained there except for a short period in Kristiansund.
Practiced victory grip in the dark: – Had my headlamp on
00:54
Refused to shake opponent’s hand after this: – childish and hopeless
00:50 This is something ola Lunde has never seen before: – Very special
00:51
The hare is chased by 90 skiers: – Hysterical - images from Vsport1
00:55
Published
08.12.2024, at 19.49
Updated
08.12.2024, at 21.28
What implications does Erling Moe’s departure have for Molde FK’s future performance in the league?
interview Between Time.news Editor and Football Expert on Erling Moe’s Departure from Molde FK
time.news Editor (TNE): Good afternoon and welcome! Today,we have a special guest,a renowned sports analyst,to discuss a significant development in Norwegian football—specifically the recent decision by Molde FK to part ways with head coach Erling Moe. Thank you for joining us!
Expert (E): Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here.
TNE: Let’s dive right in. Molde FK recently issued a press release confirming the termination of Erling Moe, citing a lack of satisfactory results this season. how surprising was this decision to you?
E: honestly, it’s a bit surprising given the success he’s had in the past. just two years ago,Moe led Molde to an remarkable league championship victory by 18 points. This abrupt decision feels quite harsh considering his track record. however, results are what ultimately matter in football.
TNE: Indeed, the football world can be quite unforgiving. The Molde chairman, Odd Ivar Moen, expressed a desire for “new energy” to lead the team forward. How crucial is that “new energy” in a professional sports habitat?
E: In sports, especially in football, momentum and morale are everything. A new coach can frequently enough reinvigorate the team, spark fresh strategies, and pull players out of a rut, which seems to be what Molde is hoping for. But there’s always a risk involved, as a new approach may not resonate with every player.
TNE: The immediate future for Molde looks like trond strande and Eirik Mæland will take charge for the final two matches of the season. Is this a strategic move, or simply a stop-gap measure until a new head coach is appointed?
E: It feels more like a temporary solution. Strande and Mæland can stabilize the situation and handle the immediate tasks, but they’re not long-term replacements. The club’s focus will likely shift quickly to finding a permanent head coach who can bring that desired energy and new vision.
TNE: There’s been speculation about Ole Gunnar Solskjær possibly returning. He had a successful tenure before moving to Manchester United. What are the chances he’d consider coming back to Molde?
E: The speculation is inevitable, given Solskjær’s history with the club and the position they find themselves in. He is indeed a favorite for many fans and analysts alike. However,he may have reservations. After managing at the highest level in the Premier League, he might feel that he’s already accomplished what he needed with Molde. It’s a matter of whether he sees it as a viable opportunity—nostalgia may not outweigh his ambitions.
TNE: Some experts, like Kristoffer Løkberg, have stated that Solskjær would be the ideal candidate. What do you think makes him such a strong applicant?
E: Solskjær’s deep connection with the club is significant.Beyond that, he understands the club’s culture and the expectations of its supporters, which is vital for success. His experience training top players, including rising stars like Erling Haaland, can be a tremendous asset in developing young talent for the future.
TNE: you mentioned the potential backlash against coaches when results aren’t favorable. looking at moe’s departure, what does it say about coaching stability in football?
E: It highlights the volatility inherent in professional football. Though past successes provide a certain degree of job security,ongoing mediocre results can change everything. Coaches often live and die by results; it’s a harsh reality. in this case, although Moe had brought stability and success, the current season’s struggles were too much for the club to overlook.
TNE: As we look ahead, what do you think the club should prioritize in selecting a new coach?
E: They should prioritize someone with an understanding of Molde’s identity and values. Ideally, this person would have experience in high-pressure environments but also a proven record of developing players and a clear tactical vision. Being able to inspire and motivate a squad that is now potentially shaken is incredibly important.
TNE: Thank you for sharing your insights! It will certainly be interesting to see how Molde navigates through this transitional period. We appreciate your time and expertise today.
E: Thank you! It’s always a pleasure to discuss the complexities of football. I’m looking forward to seeing how this situation unfolds!