TM report from Denmark
© Imago
After three years it ended in the summer: In 2022, Uwe Rösler took over the coaching position at the Aarhus GF as the successor to the David Nielsen, which was popular in the club after five years. Scandinavia expert and TM guest author Andreas Cornelsen was several times during Rösler’s term in the game and training and describes the work of the German in Aarhus.
Already in the first units on the Fredensvang, the training center of the professionals, it was clearly recognizable to see which manuscript Rösler brought: high intensity, clear processes, a structured game idea. The effect showed-AGF ended the first season under his leadership in the 3rd place and qualified for the Conference League qualification 2023/24.
Rösler at the AGF: Success 2023/24, burglary in championship round 2025
There, Aarhus and Rösler met Club Bruges in the third round, a fixture in European football for years. The first leg in Belgium was lost 0: 3. Two weeks later, the almost sold -out Ceres Park experienced one of these evenings that are remembered: an early 1-0 by the former Bremener and Fürther Felix Beijmo (3 ′), plus aggressive pressing and a team that went to the absolute performance limit. The second goal was in the air several times, but Bruges fell, but did not fall. It remained in 1-0 – the euphoria about victory was predominated, even if that was inevitable in the overall result.
The 2023/24 season brought a small step back in the league, but the team inspired in the cup. After successes against Bröndby IF in the quarter and North Shalland in the semi-finals, AGF was in the final for the first time in 29 years. Silkeborg IF was waiting in the parking stadium in Copenhagen. Everything was arranged, but a hit by SIF rights defender Oliver Sonne shortly before the break decided the game. The 0: 1 meant a bitter defeat and prevented the desired title. On the lawn you felt the disappointment clearly – players, coaches and fans knew how big the chance was.
With the 2024/25 season, stability initially returned. In the main round, AGF came in third again and in striking distance to the top clubs FC Midtjylland and FC Copenhagen. In the championship round, the opening victory against Nordsjælland (2-0) seemed to be a good omen. But then a dramatic slump started: in the following nine games, Aarhus only scored one point. Even in games like in Herning against Midtjylland (1: 3), only the bit of luck was missing, but the momentum was lost. The downward trend turned out to be too difficult to stop it at short notice.
Umbreaking in Aarhus: New sporting management, new stadium, new trainer
At the same time, the association pursued an ambitious major project: the new building of Ceres Park. The stadium should be based on the large arenas in Copenhagen architecturally and capacity. The laying of the foundation stone was celebrated on August 15, 2024, but construction costs increase more than planned. In view of this financial burden, hardly any exceptional transfers can currently be realized. There have always been newcomers to millions in recent years – also because sales such as Yann Bisseck (2023 to Inter) had flushed the cash register – so far there are only two borrowing, Rasmus Carstensen (24, 1. FC Köln) and Sebastian Jørgensen (25, Malmö FF), as well as a talent from his own youth, Stefen Tchamche (19).
Carsten Jensen, as sports director, has been responsible for the sporting direction since January 2025. He experienced the long series of defeats under Rösler up close and stated in the announcement of the separation that it was “time for a new impulse”. At the same time, Jensen praised the Germans for his energetic and sociable nature and referred to his high standards in dealing with employees and staff.
Under the successor Jakob Poulsen, the start of the season remained manageable in a victory and two draws. If you listen to yourself in the city and in the stadium, many fans wonder how it would have happened with Rösler. It is clear that until the planned opening of the new stadium in 2026, every trainer in Aarhus has to work with special framework conditions. The construction site at Ceres Park is a symbol of departure, but also for the challenges that AGF accompany in this transition phase.
Rösler himself has said goodbye to Instagram from Aarhus these days: “Tak for Alt Aarhus – You Will Always Be My Little Hygge Corner in the World!” It will be interesting to see whether the former Fortuna coach will be seen again in Scandinavia as a coach. In Norway, where his consultant Jim Solbakken also comes from, he has a good reputation as in Sweden, where he worked for Malmö FF. And Denmark also remembered well as head coach after his longest station.
Text: Andreas Cornelsen