There were many questions when, after many years in Nordstrand, Thomas Holm got a job as an assistant at YMCA Oslo. The answer to Niffen was Markus Cham, who introduced a new training routine and culture, and got results immediately. Contrary to most people’s predictions, Nordstrand led the league for large parts of the season, and was only a loss to Frigg at home in the last league round, away from promotion for the first time in the club’s history.
Cham was out of contract after this year’s season, but like most others, he thought it would work out after the season he and the club had delivered. That turned out not to be the case.
– I must say that I was quite surprised when I entered the meeting and found out that I was not allowed to take part further. At least when I haven’t received any indications of that in advance, so I really just sat there and thought a bit about what’s going on now. I didn’t get any good feedback either, so I was a bit put off, says Cham to Dagsavisen.
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Has received support from the players
When Dagsavisen spoke to Cham after the promotion final against Frigg, he had big plans for next season, and what the club should do to take the little extra step that was missing. He doesn’t get the chance to do that now, and he thinks that’s the worst thing.
– When we lost promotion at the finish line, I was extremely motivated to offer the boys an even better offer, so that we would take further steps next season. I have become incredibly happy at the club, and built up a good environment here, which I wanted to build on. The fact that I don’t get to help the player group further with that is very sad. I envisioned several years at the club, but clearly there were more people who didn’t want it, says Cham.
He says that several of the players and people around the club have contacted him after they found out about it, and that they are as surprised and shocked as Cham himself is.
– I have received several phone calls from many quarters after the news became known, and have received a lot of support, which has been nice to take with me. There are many wonderful people around Nordstrand, who have helped me a lot in the year I’ve been here, and who will now surely continue the good work they do for Nordstrand. I just have to accept the choice they have made, even if you feel a bit let down and ask questions about the way things have been done, says Cham.
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– Have chosen to go another way
Cham states that general manager Kristian Gjerstadberget and outgoing sporting director Thomas Holm attended the meeting where he was informed that the club did not want to renew his contract. Thomas Holm, who is acting sporting manager at the club for the rest of the year, refers to Gjerstadberget for comments on the matter.
– We have chosen not to extend Markus’ contract, and to go a slightly different route, without there being any drama in it. The reason for this is not about sporting results, but an overall assessment for the club in the long term. Ola Nyhus has been an assistant on the team for many years, and is now taking over, Gjerstadberget tells Dagsavisen and continues:
– The decision has not been made on the basis of results, but there are also other things we have to take into account as a club. I have nothing bad to say about Markus, but for us it is about an overall assessment made over some time, and a process the club has run with a view to an action plan we will operate according to which says something about how we should be and function as a club . Right from the five-year-olds to the top, where handball is also part of the overall picture, explains Gjerstadberget.
He understands that Markus and others may find that choice strange and disappointing.
– I hope that is not the end of what Markus has done for us, as he is a nice guy and has done a brilliant job on the field. For us, as I said, it is about an overall assessment, and a small change of course with regard to the whole of the club, says Gjerstadberget.
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Wants to find a new club
Cham also has no desire to make a big deal out of the situation, and wishes Nordstrand all the best going forward.
– I always find a new club to work in, so it’s not my fault. I have gained a lot of good experience, and I certainly do not feel that things have been wasted. Of course, it’s a bit boring that I have to start over, but you just have to accept that. As I said, the club wanted to go for a slightly different model, and perhaps I didn’t quite fit in there. It’s just the way it is, and an experience I have to take with me further that nothing is certain. No matter how good the results you get, says Cham.
He will now spend some time finding a new club.
– I want to coach a club at the same level or higher, and have ambitions to get up and progress. I am satisfied with the work I did in Nordstrand, and hope that I can find a club that shares the same ambitions as me. I felt that Nordstrand did, and that is why it went as well as it did. Now we’ll see what happens next, as I have no idea as of today, concludes Cham.
Hear Markus Cham talk about his coaching philosophy in the Trikkeligaen:
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