Rikard Norling Sports manager

Rikard Norling (born 4 June 1971 in Stockholm) is a Swedish football manager and currently the manager of the Norwegian First Division club SK Brann.Forced to retire early from his professional playing career due to an injury Norling started a coaching career at the age of 22. In his early managerial career Norling headed IK Bele, Väsby IK and GIF Sundsvall before taking on his first major position as manager for AIK in 2005. After helping AIK secure promotion back to Allsvenskan the same year and finishing as runners-up in the league as newcomers in 2006 he was sacked after conflicts with the club board. After taking a short break he came back to the coaching scene as he was appointed manager for Assyriska FF. Norling managed Assyriska to a fourth place position in Superettan in 2010. Halfway through the 2011 season he was presented as the new manager for reigning Swedish champions Malmö FF to replace Roland Nilsson who left the club for FC Copenhagen. At Malmö FF he won the 2013 league title and the club finished in the top during all of Norlings three seasons at the club.