Hassan El Fakiri has officially joined Eirik Horneland at the French club Saint-Étienne, confirming what many fans had anticipated. The transition of the former Brann duo marks significant movement within both Norwegian and French football, highlighting not only the individual journeys of these coaches but also the shifting dynamics of club management.
Brann, where El Fakiri has spent almost 15 years as both player and coach, announced the transfer on Friday. El Fakiri was pivotal as Horneland's assistant, focusing on developing players' skills. The club is now brimming with mixed emotions; the departure signifies both loss and potential growth. “I hope this is more of a 'see you later' rather than 'goodbye,'” El Fakiri said, expressing gratitude for his time at Brann and his hopes of returning someday.
Fans of Brann will certainly miss him, as he has been entrenched within the club’s culture since he was just eleven years old, cycling past Ullevaal Stadium, dreaming of donning the Brann jersey. His recent comments reflect deep appreciation for the club, supporters, and the city, marking this move as both bittersweet and professionally necessary.
Brann's sporting director, Per-Ove Ludvigsen, acknowledged the impact El Fakiri made during his tenure. “Hassan has done fantastic work as both trainer and player developer,” he said. His work within the academy and A-team has been substantial, and the club wished to keep him. Yet, he understands the opportunity this presents for El Fakiri to step up to one of Europe’s significant leagues.
Saint-Étienne, currently grappling with challenges on the field, is hoping the duo can rejuvenate its struggling squad. Following their recent coaching change where Olivier Dal'Oglio was dismissed, the French club is now relying on Horneland's and El Fakiri's prior experiences to turn their fate around. Saint-Étienne lies near the relegation zone of Ligue 1, and the new coaching staff faces the pressing task of rekindling hope among its fervent fans.
El Fakiri's prior experience playing for Monaco gives him insightful knowledge of French football, enhancing Horneland's efforts as they work together. Horneland, on the other hand, expressed his excitement about this next chapter, stating, “It is a big honor to take over at such a prestigious club.” His sentiments reflect the weight of responsibility they both embrace as they strive to rebuild the club's stature.
Per-Ove Ludvigsen believes the Brann organization has to prepare to replace both Horneland and El Fakiri. The head coach's departure was expected, but the loss of his assistant presents another significant challenge. “It’s not just about finding someone skilled; we need to find someone who fits our club's culture,” he noted, bearing the heavy weight of this search for new leadership.
At the same time, the larger football community is watching how this transition will play out. Horneland has been praised for his ability to maximize each player’s potential, and substitutions are unavoidable when considering tactical adjustments. El Fakiri’s departure takes away from the continuity Brann had begun to establish, prompting experts to assert this is one of the most important decisions the club has faced.
Carl-Erik Torp, a football expert, highlighted the urgency behind Brann's need to secure new coaches effectively. “It’s not merely about hiring anyone who has had past success. They need to find someone who can mesh well with the club ethos and bring back the winning mentality,” he advised.
For now, Horneland's and El Fakiri's urgency increases as Saint-Étienne prepares for upcoming fixtures. The first match for Saint-Étienne under their new leaders will occur against Marseille, which will occur amid tremendous pressure to perform. There is much at stake; fans genuinely hope the change can bring good fortune amid the discontent currently surrounding their beloved club.
Whether these two can help usher Saint-Étienne back to success remains to be seen. The excitement is palpable, but the road to recovery will require grit, strategy, and perhaps, even more patience than either coach anticipated.
It’s certainly worth keeping watch on the developments surrounding Horneland and El Fakiri as they step onto French soil. Their careers have come to another pivotal moment, and their contributions at Saint-Étienne will be judged on results. Can they replicate their success from Brann at this historic club? The Ligue 1 fans will have the answer soon enough.
