Bengtsson breaks with Molde

Immediate departure
The Swedish trainer has parted company with the Tippeligaen club by mutual consent. "Molde and Gunder Bengtsson have agreed that it is best for both parties to separate," the club announced at a press conference.

Temporary replacement
Molde managing director Oddne Hansen said that youth-team coach Odd Berg would take charge on a temporary basis until a permanent replacement could be found. Berg played for the club in the 1970s, enjoying considerable success.

'Everything has changed'
Meanwhile, Bengtsson said: "When I came here two years ago, we had a strategy to be the best in the country by 2005. We made progress in my first year and finished second last year. But when there was no money to buy players in the close season, everything changed. I wanted to resign earlier but stayed on for a while."

Slow start
Molde have taken only five points from their opening six matches of the 2003 campaign. Bengtsson's tactics came in for criticism, and last week promising young striker Magne Hoseth handed in a transfer request.

Wide experience
The 57-year-old coach worked closely with England boss Sven-Göran Eriksson at Swedish side IFK Göteborg in the 1980s, and also managed Vålerenga Fotball. His assistant Kalle Bjørklund will also leave the club.