Football Season Guide

Enjoyed their best-ever finish. Made the top 6 for the first time in the club’s history. At some stage even dreamt of Europe, entered the play-offs in third place. However, poor form in March-May meant last-place finish in Play-off I. Still, the campaign was historic. It was the team effort that impressed most last term. No individual player scored more than 8 goals. Goalie Bundgaard kept only 7 clean sheets. Yet, the team achieved 12 wins (8 draws and 12 defeats). The ability to edge narrow games and score late goals, only champions Aarhus scored more goals inside the final 20 minutes of matches, proved decisive. The mastermind behind the team’s rise from the third tier to the top 6 in Denmark Thomas Nörgaard ended his 4-year reign. He resigned to take charge of fallen giants Brondby. Prepared for that the Board immediately replaced him with the young 34-year-old Fatah Abdirahman. This is his first-ever job as a head coach, he was an assistant coach at Randers last season. There is expectation for continuity under the new boss. He stated that he plans to trust the methods and tactics of his predecessor as he prepares for the new season. The only notable departure so far has been that of solid inner midfielder Sommer. Mathias Olesen was signed as a potential replacement. Also, after having an injury-plagued last season team captain Rasmus Vinderslev can expect to feature much more often this term. After his breakthrough campaign winger Hyseni, now 19-years-old, should be used even more. Striker Hoppe is yet to prove he can be a regular goal provider but with all of Hyseni, Lyng and Qamili guaranteed to deliver plenty of crosses Hoppe should have lots of opportunities. The entire back line remains intact and defensively Sonderjyske should continue to rely on the same personnel as usual.