FC Midtjylland and Helle Thomsen part ways

Last season’s runners-up in the Danish championship, FC Midtjylland is parting ways with their head coach for the past six years, Helle Thomsen with immediate effect.

Disagreements on the future strategy in the club is being reported as the reason for the sudden departure which comes only two weeks before the start of the Danish season and a bit more than a month before the start of the Women’s EHF Champions League Group Matches.

“After a series of good years with great results, the last months have been characterised by disagreements on the future strategy and management of FCM Handbold.

“Therefore, the management of the club and Helle Thomsen have agreed to part ways,” FC Midtjylland’s sports director Stefan Kristiansen said in an official statement from the club.

“Both parties agree that six good years, which have resulted in 10 titles, including three Danish championships, as well as qualification for the (Women’s EHF) FINAL4 in 2014 should not be over-shadowed by disagreements on strategy and management,” the sports director adds.

Assistant coach promoted

“Of course, this happens at a late time, with regards to the upcoming season, which starts with the Super Cup on September 6, but we have to think on a short term as well as on a long term, and this step gives us the opportunity to build our team on a long-term basis,” says Kristensen.

Along with being with FC Midtjylland for six years, Helle Thomsen has been national coach in Sweden in two terms – first with Tomas Sivertsson, and this spring on her own, as she was a successful temporary coach for Sweden when they qualified for the Rio Olympics.

In FC Midtjylland, assistant coach Kristian Kristensen has been promoted into the job as head coach for the time being.

One of his first tasks will be preparing the team for the Champions League Group Matches, where Midtjylland are in Group C with Györ Audi ATO KC, CSM Bucuresti and Rostov-Don as their opponents.