Molde FK - Here We Go!

Why Have I Chosen Molde?

I have chosen Molde for two reasons. The first being Manchester United. Manchester United are my team, they have been all my life and always will be. Although on Football Manager there is only so much you can do with the team, and I’ve done so many saves with them I’m starting to get bored on them on the game. I also prefer the younger players to the senior squad, but with United they can’t be used immediately. However, Molde have an affiliation with the club, meaning I can try and get the younger players I like to play for Molde.

Secondly, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has done amazingly. He helped the club to the first title win ever, in their 100th year as a club, and went and won it the next year. He has turned out to be a brilliant manager, and I want to try and do the same. The club also has some great players, but are unknown, so I want to try out the team and see if I can do a Solskjaer, and go one better – take them into, not just Europe, but the Champions League!

Who Am I?

Although he didn’t play for Molde, he was certainly a Norweigan legend, playing 76 times for his country and making nearly 500 club appearances, although many probably wouldn’t think of him. I have decided to become 39-year-old Tore Andre Flo. Flo is currently with no experience as a manager, having only retired from playing last year, so this will certainly be a challenge.

Index

Episode 1: Solskjaer Sacked!
Episode 2: New Manager Flown In
Episode 3: Flo's First Press Conference
Episode 4: Squad Analysis
Episode 5: Molde FK - Club Overview
Episode 6: Tactics
Episode 7: Squad Meeting #1
Episode 8: Bringing The Samba To Norway

Solskjaer Sacked!

News has spread across the globe and shocked many football fans today. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, manager of Molde FK, has been sacked! The Molde FK chairman Øystein Neerland decided it was time for Ole to leave after two very successful seasons at the club.

Solskjaer was given the job in 2011, following the departure of Uwe Rosler, also gaining success at the club, but leaving after just 8 games in charge. Many football fans are shocked due to the success Solskjaer had at the club, winning their first ever league title in the 100th year as a team, and then going on to retain the title again the following season. Ole also took the team into Europe for the first time, reaching the group stages of the Champions League.

Although the reason why he was sacked in unclear, many newspapers are reporting that Neerland would not allow Solskjaer to spend more money on the youth players, which led to Ole calling the chairman an ‘Arrogant Prick’ and his immediate departure.

There are many managers suggested as a possibility to takeover, with names such as Tord Grip, Harry Redknapp, Tore Andre Flo and even Pep Guardiola all being bought up in talk from many footballing pundits and reporters.

As a Dane living in Norway, I without question will be following this one.
Even if I’m not a big fan of Flo and his style of football

New Manager Flown In…

Molde FK have announced Tore Andre Flo as the new manager for the 2012 Campaign, with the possibility of an extended contract today. Tore Andre Flo has been flown in from Barbados, where he was spending a month long holiday celebrating retirement as a player for a third time, after coming back to play twice.

Although it was thought that bigger, more experienced managers could take the role, Molde FK have announced that none of the managers the club wanted would accept the role, and had to accept an offer from Flo they didn’t really want to, due to the past experience playing for rival clubs, and often scoring against Molde in the league.

Flo has stated that ‘he was desperate for management and would take any job anywhere in the world, so a job at home isn’t too bad’. Although this doesn’t seem like a great match-up, only time will tell to see if success comes to Molde again.

He has been given a contract until December 2012 worth £3.8k p/w.

Flo’s First Press Conference

TAF – Tore Andre Flo
ON - Øystein Neerland
J – Journalist

TAF – Oystein, where the fuck is everyone. I flew in from Barbados for this, and there’s no bloody journalists!

ON – Err, Tore, I, err, do not know. They should be here. 30 journalists wanted to be here.

[Enters Journalist, looking a mess and trying to sort out his notepad]

J – Sorry I’m late… Oh, am I early, where is everyone?

TAF – [sighing] Bloody Brilliant. You, journalist, come with me.

J – Sure thing, where are we going?

ON – Flo, wait, where..

[Flo and the Journalist walk down the road, with no one around and no fans wanting to meet the manager. They sit down at the local coffee shop.]

TAF – Sorry about this, the bloody chairman can’t sort out anything, and I need a drink.

J – Totally fine. Shall we start?

TAF – Eurgh, sure, knock yourself out... [Tore looks deeply into the cup of watery tea unimpressed.

J – Firstly, welcome back to Norway.

TAF – No comment.

J – Do you have any transfer plans ready or are you waiting to check out the squad?

TAF – I have some players in mind, although I am happy with the reports I have read on the first team.

J – That’s great, umm, what are your targets this year?

TAF – Win. Surely that’s every managers targets, that’s the point of the bloody game!

J – How do you feel about the departure of Solskjaer?

TAF – Look mate, I’m here now, not Ole. I couldn’t give a monkeys about what he did, because he’s not here now, I’m in charge, I’m the boss, and I’m here to win.

[Tore swipes his tea onto the floor, kicks back the chair and leaves the room.]

J – Err, goodbye, sir.

Love this story so far Devil, good luck with Molde

Squad Analysis

Flo walked into his office, looked at the reports left by the staff and analysed every player, decided on a best XI and the key players, followed by making the decision for Captain and Vice Captain...

The Squad:

Tore Andre Flo's favourite 11 are in bold, with the players going from left to right of importance, or ability of skill based on the views of the manager.

GK: Pettersen, Soderberg
RB: Gatt, Linnes, Vatshaug, Melchiot
CB: Forren, Hovland, Odegaard
LB: Rindaroy,
RM: Simonsen, Mostrom
CM: Eikrem, Berget, Hussain, Hoseth, Ekpo, Stamnestro, Hestad, Camara
LM: None
ST: Angan, Chima, Diouf

Tore soon realised the team played very narrow football, and fell in love with the team immediately. He soon found out this job wouldn't be so bad, and liked the potential and current ability the team had very much.

Key Players:

Flo knew even before he arrived back in Norway who were going to be the key players in the side. He looked on the internet for hours on the flight back home at the team, and found 4 players who he knew would be the difference between silverware and, well, underwear?

Vegard Forren




Forren will be the star man this year, bossing the back and will do for many years to come. I forgot I disabled the January update before doing this save, and I'm glad I did due to Forren's recent move to Southampton. Will definitely be a key man for me this year.

Magnus Wolff Eikrem




Eikrem has become a big star recently, and I hope he can help lead the attacking force. With him and Forren being the key men attacking and defending, I will be relying on them both alot, and they will not be sold for anything or anyone!

Joshua Gatt




A player will great potential, but also has the ability currently. Another thing, he's only 20! Will be a solid partner in defense with Forren and I'm hoping the two together can prevent many goals, increasing our title chances alot.

David Claude Angan




Although his ability and potential does not show it, I still think he can be a key player. He's the only striker really the club have who can be relied on, and I see him becoming much better than he is rated. I feel he can be a big player, and pre-season has proved this, with results coming soon.

Captaincy:

There are two players at the club who easily deserve the captaincy. They are the only two I could pick out as those available to lead the team before seeing how they perform. They have already achieved success at the club, but they aren't the most experienced players available. I feel they can both lead the club to glory, and the role of captain and vice captain can help them develop more and became, top, maybe even world class players.

The Captain: Vegard Forren

The captain can only be one player. The rock at the back, Vegard Forren.

The Vice-Captain: Magnus Wolff Eikrem

Could be a few other, more experienced players available, but I feel Eikrem can become a club legend, and he deserves the vice captaincy with how he has currently played at the club.

Molde FK - Club Overview

Molde Fotballklubb is a football club from Molde, Norway, that currently plays in the Tippeligaen, the Norwegian top division. Founded on 19 June 1911, Molde was originally known as International. Molde are two time league champions and two time Norwegian Cup winners, and have finished 2nd in the league a further seven times. Molde is one of two Norwegian clubs that have participated in the UEFA Champions League.

Its home matches are played at Aker Stadion, which has a maximum capacity of 11,800. The stadium was inaugurated in 1998, and was a gift from the local businessmen Kjell Inge Røkke and Bjørn Rune Gjelsten. The club was formerly based at Molde stadion, which hosted the club's record attendance of 14,615. Molde's supporterclub is called Tornekrattet ("Thorn thicket") and were started after the 1994 cupfinal.

Until the beginning of the 1970s, the club mainly played in local lower division leagues, except for a short visit in the Hovedserien in the 1957–58 season. In 1974 Molde was back in the top division and finished second in the league, and have since then become one of Norway's leading clubs and generally stayed in the top division. Molde also finished second in the league in 1989, when the club lost the championship to Moss in the decisive match of the season.

During the 1990s and the beginning of the 2000s, Molde was the second best team in Norway (behind 13-times in a row champions Rosenborg), with league silver's in 1995, 1998, 1999 and 2002 and cup championship in 1994 and 2005, and the participation in the Champions League in the 1999–2000 season, when Real Madrid, Porto and Olympiacos visited Molde.

The club was Manchester United player Ole Gunnar Solskjær's first professional club, and in January 2011 he returned to manage the club. In his first season as manager, which also was the club's 100-years anniversary season, Molde won the league championship for the first time. The next season Solskjær and Molde retained the championship. Today the club has approximately 900 members and around 55 teams in three departments.

Facilities

Good corporate facilities
Average training facilities
Adequate youth facilities
Adequate junior coaching
Above average youth recruitment

Affiliated Clubs

Kristiansund
Manchester United

2012/2013 Season Expectations

Board:Fight for the Tippeligaen
Personal: Finish in the top two of the league
Finish the semi final of the cup

Budgets

£627k transfer budget
£55k wage budget

Good luck!

As a Molde Fk supporter and a member of Tornekrattet "Thorn Thicket" as you called it, I will be following you. Played 7 season with Molde myself and that team you start with is amasing. Just keep playing attacking football and they will surprise you. Of that I'm sure.

Tactics

Control: 4-2-3-1

This will probably be my main tactic. The idea of control is to be able to dominate play, staying steady when defending and attacking, but make the breaks when available while still keeping possession. I will use this against teams of a similar or slightly lower level to my own.

Counter: 4-1-2-1-2

This will be my tactic used sometimes, but not often. I will use this against stronger teams, who are similar or better then me and have a real threat against me, so I can defend solidly but counter attack to try and get the all important goals. This will probably be my tactic if I get into Europe too.

Classic: 4-4-2

I won't use this tactic often, due to the style of play it uses and the types of players I have. This is a common tactic providing a solid layout all around, meaning I will use this against the weaker sides to gain a decent advantage while being able to attack and defend. This would be used more in cup games against the lower sides, so do not expect to see this used often.

Tactics

Control: 4-2-3-1

This will probably be my main tactic. The idea of control is to be able to dominate play, staying steady when defending and attacking, but make the breaks when available while still keeping possession. I will use this against teams of a similar or slightly lower level to my own.

Counter: 4-1-2-1-2

This will be my tactic used sometimes, but not often. I will use this against stronger teams, who are similar or better then me and have a real threat against me, so I can defend solidly but counter attack to try and get the all important goals. This will probably be my tactic if I get into Europe too.

Classic: 4-4-2

I won't use this tactic often, due to the style of play it uses and the types of players I have. This is a common tactic providing a solid layout all around, meaning I will use this against the weaker sides to gain a decent advantage while being able to attack and defend. This would be used more in cup games against the lower sides, so do not expect to see this used often.

Squad Meeting #1

TAF - Tore Andre Flo
VF - Vegard Forren (Captain)
ROS - Rest of Squad

TAF - Right lads. I'm here now, and we're going to win. You have all developed, from little shits into grown men now... Yes, even you Eikrem. [Whole squad laughs, even Eikrem]. This is your time, your time to shine. You've won it once, you've won it twice. But now things will change. You WILL win it three times, but you still do something else. You will travel Europe playing the top teams, you will win in Europe.

VF - C'mon boys, Molde! Molde! Molde!

TAF - Who are we?

ROS - Molde!

TAF - What will we win?

VF - Captain's sexiest wife of the year 2012...

[Silence hits the room]

ROS - ...Everything!

TAF - Now come on boys, let's get out there, our first game as a new squad, and let's win. Come on boys, we are the best, we are the greatest, we are the champions!

[The whole team leaves the room pumped for their first game as a team together, raring for the win and wanting success.]

Northwood: Thank you, and to be honest I don't really know how he played as a player, I just know he was quite successful, although I could become more of a fan after.

Madrista: Thanks, hoping to get some success in the first season!

Slogh: Ooh, I didn't know there were any Molde supporters, here, will be good to see your reaction to results and signings, and thank you.

Bringing The Samba To Norway

Tore Andre Flo announced his first signing at his new club, of Adryan, the young 17 year old from Flamengo. It is believed Flo has paid £250k up front, and will pay another £625k over 48 months to gain the services of the player.

The Brazilian will stay at Flamengo for a while, and join Molde on the 10th August 2012 after the Norweigan club hit his release clause.

Flo has announced he is 'estactic at the ability of the player he has been able to sign, and feels her can immediately between a legend in the club and league, and help the team find victory everywhere!

Adryan wage details have still not been announced.

Pre-Season 2012

Molde FK 0-2 Spartak Moscow - Friendly - 25.2.12

Control (4-3-2-1): Pettersen, Rindaroy, Hovland, Forren, Simonsen, Hoseth, Hussain, Gatt, Eikrem, Berget, Angan

Subs Used: Linnes for Rindarooy(6), Chima for Berget (33)

Injuries: Rindarooy (Strained knee ligaments - 2 months), Berget (Bruised Elbow, 4-5 days)

Goals: None

MOTM: de Zeeuw (Spartak)

Nesodden 1-4 Molde FK - Friendly - 3.3.12

Control (4-3-2-1): Pettersen, Linnes, Hovland, Forren, Simonsen, Hoseth, Hussain, Gatt, Eikrem, Chima, Angan

Subs Used: None

Injuries: None

Goals: Angan (7, 42), Hovland (38), Forren (64)

MOTM: Forren (Molde)

Ull/Kisa 0-2 Molde FK - Friendly - 7.3.12

Control (4-3-2-1): Pettersen, Linnes, Hovland, Forren, Simonsen, Hoseth, Hussain, Gatt, Eikrem, Chima, Angan

Subs Used: None

Injuries: None

Goals: Angan (21, 71)

MOTM: Eikrem (Molde)

Kristiansund 0-4 Molde FK - Friendly - 10.3.12

Control (4-3-2-1): Pettersen, Linnes, Hovland, Forren, Simonsen, Hoseth, Hussain, Gatt, Eikrem, Chima, Angan

Subs Used: None

Injuries: None

Goals: Chima (37), Angan (50, 88), Hussain (77)

MOTM: Angan (Molde)

Pre-Season Review

I am very happy with the results of this pre-season campaign. I never was really expecting anything from the first game, but we got some good solid results elsewhere. Some players really stood out which helped a lot and the squad are definitely ready to face the challenges within the league.

Player of the Month