Skammelsrud set for final bow

Winsnes to take over
"Perhaps we could have Bent for another year," said Aage Hareide, who will take over as Rosenborg coach from Nils Arne Eggen in the new year. "However, our squad will gradually have to undergo a change of generation through the coming season." Hareide has earmarked Fredrik Winsnes to take over Skammelsrud's spot in central midfield.

Lyon marks the end
So, after 415 matches for the Norwegian club and eleven successive titles, Skammelsrud is set to play his last match for Rosenborg on 12 November against Olympique Lyonnais at the Lerkendahl stadium on Matchday Six of the UEFA Champions League.

Job behind the scenes
Nevertheless, Skammelsrud will still be connected with Rosenborg in a behind-the-scenes role. "We want to preserve Bent's extensive football experience within the club," Hareide said. "He might assist in coaching, developing new talent or scouting – that's a decision we haven't taken yet but we definitely want to keep Bent on board."

Brief German spell
The 36-year-old Skammelsrud began his football career with Rakkestad IF, before spells with Drøbak/Frogn IL, and Frigg Oslo SK. He then left Norway in 1990 for Swedish club Malmö FF, returning to join Rosenborg a year later. After six title-winning campaigns in Trondheim he switched to German 1. Bundesliga club Bayer 04 Leverkusen in 1997/98 but Skammelsrud chose to return to Norway for family reasons after just five months in Germany.