54-year-old Thomas Bertsen got the job as sports director of the capital team AIK in April 2023 after having held the same job for over a decade in Sarpsborg 08.
Now, a few days before the start of the league against Gais in Allsvenskan on Monday, he has been fired. A few hours ago, Sporten.com could report that several strong board members will force Thomas Berntsen out even though he saved the big club in record time.
Now AIK Fotball has written why, they are implementing an organizational change in the club’s sporting management: AIK Fotball is implementing changes in the men’s team’s sporting management, which means that the former sports director role is divided into three complementary leadership roles. These roles are: Head coach Mikkjal Thomassen, head of scouting and recruitment Fredrik Wisur Hansen and the new leader of the club, Jeremy Steele, who through a collaboration with Analytics FC will take on the role of strategy manager.
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Fans in shock!
Fans and we in Sporten.com think it all seems strange. – Especially after it seems that the club is back on track again after a period of chaos. – You can clearly see what the fans think about the change in social media.
On the club’s pages come the usual good words: – Thomas has done a very good job for AIK Fotball since he started in May 2023. He came at a time when we really demanded a clear responsibility for the sporting activities, he has saved us from remaining in Allsvenskan and ensured a huge improvement in the performance environment in the club. Where we are now, we have to take a different direction, and then we need other skills and ways of working. Therefore, we choose to make the decision now well in advance of the upcoming transfer window. I would like to thank Thomas for all his great work in the club and wish him the best of luck with his upcoming assignments, says AIK Fotball’s CEO and club director Fredrik Söderberg.
“I came to AIK with an ambition to work hard, be loyal to the club and maintain my integrity, and in my opinion, the ambition has been fulfilled. In my almost two years, we have saved the club from relegation, established a high-class training day at Karlberg, won a medal and AIK are again ready for Uefa matches in the summer. In addition, all sales goals that the club set me as sports director have been met. It is a sad day to say goodbye to AIK, as I have many good memories and friends for life. It has been a true pleasure to serve at this fantastic club with fantastic support from fantastic supporters. No “hard feelings” from my side, forward proud AIK, says Thomas Berntsen.
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