As Ola By Rise got the message that he wouldn't be allowed to continue coaching Rosenborg the next season, the club's administration naturally had to find a new coach. Trond Sollied would be a normal first choice.

Nov 3rd: Skutle in Sollied talks
On Sunday, Rosenborg Managing Director Nils Skutle went to Belgium to start the talks with Trond Sollied.

The Club Brugge coach is the natural first choice as new RBK boss, for the third time in three years. Both in 2002 and 2003 he was asked, after first Nils Arne Eggen and then Åge Hareide decided to leave Lerkendal. Both times, he said no. Now, Rosenborg hopes that all good things come in threes.

"Nils went by plane to Bruxelles today, so he wouldn't have to have the full cohort for the PSV match with him," Sports Director Rune Bratseth said to Norwegian broadcaster NRK on Wednesday.

Sollied, who lead Rosenborg with success while Nils Arne Eggen took a year off in 1998, has repeatedly said that he does not want to return home. This could, however, be tactical statements.

"Had it been impossible to reach a solution, he would have said so - and then we could have stayed home. When he hasn't, I think there might be an opening for him as Ola's successor," Bratseth says.

One thing is for sure, tough: Nils Arne Eggen will not do a comeback.

"Nils could have been a name for us, but he is crystal clear on that issue - he won't," Bratseth states.

Nov 4th: "Will not go to RBK now," says Sollied
Trond Sollied is determined to complete the 2004/05-season as Club Brugge coach. It can however be an opening coming summer.

"What happens in the future, noone can tell. But I am not Rosenborg coach as of January 1st," Sollied says to Norwegian radio NRK Radiosporten.

RBK Managing Director Nils Skutle had talks with the earlier Lerkendal hero today and yesterday, to get a feel for his current situation.

"I am in the middle of a season, and one and a half year remains of my contract. I haven't given any tought to quitting prematurely," Trond Sollied says.

Still, there seems to be an opening - maybe he could switch employer after the season in Belgium ends.

"If that is to happen, I must change my mind. I really haven't taken a stand on that issue. Rosenborg must decide what they want, and then I must find out what I would like to," Sollied states.

Nov 5th: Sollied did not change his mind
Monday, Trond Sollied said that he wouldn't become the new Rosenborg coach. Still, the RBK talks continued until yesterday night - to no avail.


"OPERATION CONVINCE" FAILED: Rune Bratseth and Nils Skutle couldn't make Trond Sollied change his mind.