Søren Eriksen has resigned as chairman of Vålerenga Fotball following a turbulent period marked by several player sales. The decision came the day after the club sold captain Henrik Bjørdal to Viking, according to a Vålerenga press release. The team drew 2-2 with Sarpsborg 08 FF on September 6th and has taken just one point from its last two matches.
Søren Eriksen explained his decision in a press statement. He said he did not feel he had the necessary support for the decisions he had been part of, particularly the sale of Bjørdal. Eriksen believed the sale was needed to secure the club's finances and future, but a lack of trust from other board members left him no choice but to step down. He was elected chairman at the annual meeting in March this year. Eriksen stated it was difficult to reject the sale as the player wanted to leave, the coaches approved, and the transfer helped secure liquidity for next year's operations. Deputy chair Ine Hope Karlsen now takes over leadership of Vålerenga Fotball Elite.
Spokesperson for Klanen, Sebastian Hytten, gave a sharp reaction. He described Eriksen's resignation as cowardly. Hytten argued that if the chairman felt he was losing trust, he should have fought against the sale the day before or stood by his decision. "That he didn't fight against it the day before, or stood there with a straight back and said: 'I did this because I thought it was right, but you think otherwise. So be it.' But to just resign and jump on the last taxi out of Valle, I think that's cowardly," said Hytten. He added he was glad to be rid of "such people" quickly, because you need backbone to be at Vålerenga.
While chaos reigns off the pitch, Vålerenga is also struggling with results. After 18 matches, the team sits in 11th place in the Eliteserien. They have won only one of their last five games, and their recent form over the last two matches shows zero wins, one draw, and one loss. The most recent match ended 2-2 away to Sarpsborg 08 FF. The next challenge is an important away derby against Lillestrøm on September 12th. The match is part of a tough fixtures schedule for the autumn. Football expert Lars Tjærnås said he finds what is happening sad, especially for the supporters who deserve more.
The sale of Henrik Bjørdal was not the only departure this week. Mohamed Ofkir was also sold to HamKam on Wednesday evening. Additionally, top talent Promise Meliga jr. Was sold to Oslo rivals KFUM Oslo. These sales came as it was announced Vålerenga is parting ways with sporting director Joacim Jonsson. The combination of several key players leaving and leadership changes creates uncertainty. For a complete overview of the playing squad, see our squad page. Vålerenga faces Lillestrøm at Åråsen stadion on September 12th.
