Burnley assistant manager Pål Fjelde has admitted he’s at the club as a career builder, as he eyes up a Premier League job in future.
VG have an interview with him today. They cover several topics, including the 31-year-old’s Premier League ambitions.
Fjelde has been technical coach at Burnley since the summer, arriving as a reinforcement for Scott Parker’s backroom team as they prepared for life back in the Premier League.
It’s his first job in England, after previously working as assistant manager at Viborg. He’s also worked as an analyst for Norway, assistant manager for Viking as well as roles with their youth team and Byrne’s Youth Team.
His move in to coaching comes after a playing career in Norway, including a short unsuccessful spell at St Mirren. He even shared a dressing room with Manchester City star Erling Haaland at Bryne.
Now they’re both in England, albeit at very different clubs in Burnley and Manchester City. While Haaland hunts goal, Fjelde works in the background as Burnley’s set piece coach. That’s a role he also does for Norway, who were formidable at set pieces during World Cup qualifying.
He, though, has loftier ambitions than that. And is willing to admit that Burnley are a career builder in that respect.
“It was quite a short road to the decision,” he said.
“I see myself as a football coach and have ambitions to become a head coach. Set pieces are an investment in becoming a better coach.
“(I want) to become a head coach in the Premier League. I have no deadline – now I use every day to become a better coach.”
Burnley coach loving life at Clarets
Pål Fjelde told VG he’s not on a huge salary in England, and said it’s comparable to what he had at Viborg. However, that isn’t important, with him enjoying Burnley so much he says he’d have done the job for free.
“You can earn well as a set piece coach here, but I am not at the top. Far from it. I earn a little more than in Viborg. But for me money has never been the motivation. I’d have paid to be in the situation I am in now.”
