Leeds United exit for Darren Arnott as he agrees to join Norwegian club Strømsgodset as assistant manager

Scarborough's Darren Arnott has announced his departure from Leeds United's coaching staff - making the switch to Norwegian outfit Strømsgodset.
Scarborough's Darren Arnott has left Leeds UnitedScarborough's Darren Arnott has left Leeds United
Scarborough's Darren Arnott has left Leeds United

Scarborough born Arnott had been with United's Under-23s for over two years, working under boss Marcelo Bielsa, but has moved on to become assistant manager Henrik Pedersen at the Norwegian outfit.

The former Cayton Corinthians and Scalby player, 34, also spent five years coaching in the United States with MLS side the Chicago Fire and also coached for a year at Spanish club Atletico Astorga.

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Arnott told the Strømsgodset club website: "I am really pleased to be joining this historic club at a time where we are in a great position to continue to move the club forward.

"I would like to thank the club, board and the manager for their faith in me and I am eager to repay their confidence by bringing new knowledge, ideas and an incredible work ethic to the club and its fans.

"I have been following the team closely and the squad has fantastic potential. I feel there is a great opportunity to build on the work which has already taken place inside the club and with the current squad, which I find very exciting.

"Seeing the strength of community which surrounds the club from its supporters has been impressive and I am already looking forward to the days when the stadium can return to full capacity and we can really give the fans something to cheer about."

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Arnott also took to social media to announce his departure from Leeds United, saying: "My time at Leeds United has come to an end and I couldn't move on to my next challenge without giving great thanks to those who have helped me and supported me during my time at the club.

"It's been an honour and a privilege to work with some fantastic people and players and to have had the opportunity to work with the manager and his staff on what has been a magnificent journey.

"I'm proud to have been involved in this part of the club's history and will always keep this experience close to my heart, along with all my memories and of course, the faithful Leeds fans.

"Good luck and I hope you can all get Elland Road bouncing in the Premier League again soon."

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Strømsgodset manager Pedersen added: "The reason why the choice of assistant fell on Darren Arnott, is his cutting-edge expertise in player development and individual follow-up.

"In Leeds, he has worked in a club that has had a strong focus on integrating U23 players into the first team squad. In that area, the traditional Yorkshire club has made great strides in recent years.

"Darren comes to us because we want to increase the attention of the individual player and he will help us to structure and improve this work.

"We have taken some good steps in playing style and now we will go even deeper into individual development, as well as relationships and roles in the team."

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Arnott's new side have friendly matches against Valerenga and Sarpsporg 08 before their season is set to kick off with trip to Rosenborg on April 5.

Strømsgodset narrowly avoided relegation in the 2020 campaign, finishing one place and four points clear of the drop zone in Eliteserien.

Arnott will also come up against fellow Scarborian and another ex Cayton and Scalby player in Michael Brown, who is the Head of Physical Performance at Eliteserien champions FK Bodø/Glimt.