On sick leave as a trainer
Ex-Bundesliga professional had cancer surgery
November 18, 2025 – 2:21 p.mReading time: 1 min.
He played in the Bundesliga and is now a coach in Norway. But Kjetil Rekdal is currently on sick leave because he has cancer.
Kjetil Rekdal had to undergo surgery after being diagnosed with cancer. This was announced by the Norwegian second division soccer team Aalesunds FK. The 57-year-old is currently a coach there. Rekdal had already been confronted with the diagnosis in the summer.
As Aalesund announced, Rekdal is currently on sick leave. “Although this was difficult news, he decided to partially continue his job in the fall,” the club said in a statement. The prognosis for his recovery is good. Rekdal hopes to return soon.
Despite health problems, the former Bundesliga professional led his team to fourth place – thus securing Aalesund a place in the promotion relegation.
During his active career, Rekdal played in the Bundesliga for Borussia Mönchengladbach and Hertha BSC, and later coached 1. FC Kaiserslautern, among others. As a coach he was also able to celebrate success in Norway: in 2005 he became champion with Valerenga and with Aalesund he won the national cup in 2009 and 2011. He has been the club’s head coach again since summer 2024.