Rosenborg ‘in disarray’ ahead of Celtic tie
Rosenborg have been criticised by their own country’s coaches association after their botched attempt at sacking their manager.
The Norwegian champions axed Kare Ingebrigtsen and his assistant, Erik Hoftun, despite winning through to face a rematch with Celtic in the Champions League second qualifying round.
That led to a players’ revolt against the decision.
They appear to be in disarray ahead of their trip to Scotland and Dutch coach Rini Coolen – who has been sacked from his last five jobs, including Caribbean minnows Aruba – will be in charge. However, the Norwegian Football Coaches Association have added their voice to the mayhem and demanded Rosenborg reinstate Ingebrigtsen.
Chief executive Teddy Moen said: “This is not the way you dismiss a coach. The board’s decision came as a complete surprise to the coaches. They didn’t see it coming. No-one did. “Coaches are the most important people at the club.
“The process was fundamentally wrong and we call on Rosenborg to reverse the decision.
“They were sacked without any degree of humility or respect. There has to be honesty and there hasn’t been in this case.”
Queen’s Park have responded to reports that they have been set a deadline of tomorrow to advise if they are willing to sell Hampden to the SFA.
Should the governing body opt to move to Murrayfield instead of staying at the 115-year-old Mount Florida ground, the Spiders could face a hefty bill of £10 million, payable to the Big Lottery. A grant of £24m was awarded from the Big Lottery when the stadium was redeveloped in 2000. A considerable element of that sum will have to be repaid, should Hampden no longer be used as the national stadium.
A Queen’s Park spokesperson said: “The financial arrangements surrounding Hampden are well known to the club.
“We are not naive to the implications of them, and they have formed part of our discussions with the SFA over the future of Hampden.
“We are aware of the SFA’S submissions deadline of tomorrow, and the fact that they are scheduled to make a final decision on the way forward over the next couple of months.
“As with all complex situations, we would hope that, despite that deadline, there will be further dialogue with various shareholders prior to any decision being made.”
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