Tørum takes leave of Rosenborg

Coach Knut Tørum has left Rosenborg BK by mutual consent following a 2-0 win against Valencia CF with Trond Henriksen taking charge until the end of 2007.

Stark contrast
The sensational UEFA Champions League defeat of the Spanish giants last night contrasted starkly against disappointing results at home, with the Trondheim side lying sixth in the 14-team Norwegian league. "Rosenborg have always been about team play and I do not want to hold onto my job at all costs," said Tørum. "I leave Rosenborg with plenty of positive experiences"

'Not a good year'
Tørum took temporary charge of the club in the summer of 2006 when Per-Mathias Høgmo went on sick leave, and led the club to the title before being given the job full-time. "I have tried my best to deliver," he said. "But the league table shows that 2007 was not a good year for this club, where you have to come first to make people happy. I have learned a lot, but the last few weeks have been hard."

No blame
Rosenborg chairman Terje Svendsen concurred that disappointing league results had been the main reason for Tørum's departure. "We do not blame the coach alone – Tørum saved us last year, and that will not be forgotten," he said. "We have had talks about the situation for some time and we admire the way Knut has handled this."

Fifth casualty
Tørum is the fifth coaching casualty this year at clubs taking part in Europe's premier club competition. His departure follows those of Albert Emon at Olympique de Marseille, José Mourinho at Chelsea FC, Gheorghe Hagi from FC Steaua Bucureşti and Anatoliy Demyanenko at FC Dynamo Kyiv, all of whom left their respective positions after Matchday 1.

Sixth coach
Henriksen will now lead Rosenborg until the end of 2007 with Kåre Ingebrigtsen as his assistant. He will be the sixth coach to take charge of the 20-time Norwegian champions since Nils Arne Eggen left in 2002, following Åge Hareide, Ola By Rise, Per Joar Hansen, Høgmo and Tørum. Rosenborg are second in Group B with four points ahead of their trip to Valencia on 6 November.