Chelsea Go with the ‘Flo’: Blues Legend Returns to Coach Youth

Chelsea legend, Tore Andre Flo, has returned to the club as an academy coach. The former striker had been working with the Chelsea youngsters on a part time basis up until now, but has taken up a full-time role, and will be working to develop Chelsea’s younger players in what is another step towards an emphasis on youth for the Blues.

The club’s U21 team manager Dermot Drummy outlined Flo’ s role,

‘He is going to be assisting a coach at a lower level, and help us in the U21s in the afternoons.

‘For example, we have been trying to turn Islam Feruz into a No 9 striker, and he can lend his experience to that.

‘That’s without discriminating against him as just a striker coach, he can help in every aspect.’  Drummy is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail

Flo, who scored 50 goals in three terrific seasons at the Bridge, had been sniffing around a full-time role for a while now, and chance to work in the vicinity of the returning Jose Mourinho, who’s well-known forte is his man-management, was a hard chance to pass up,

“I think his strength is his connection with the players,” Flo told Goal. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets John Terry to be as good as he was some years ago again.

“Frank Lampard, he had a brilliant season last season, and he seems to be in great form, and with some new players he is going to bring in, I think that it smells like gold to me.” Flo is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail

With the former striker handed a full-time position back at the club where he made his name, those who can remember the striker will surely be fondly reminiscing.

Flo arrived at Chelsea in 1997 for a paltry fee of £300,000 from Norwegian club, Brann. His impact was immediate, with a stunning hat trick scored that season against eternal rivals, Tottenham, at White Hart Lane during the 1-6 drubbing – one of the Blues faithful’s best loved memories.

He will also be remembered by the goal that took Chelsea to within seven minutes to toppling the star-studded Barcelona in the 2000 Champions league quarter final. Capitalising on a mistake by the Barca keeper, Ruud Hesp, Flo nipped in to silence the Camp Nou, and let Chelsea fans dream of something quite extraordinary on what was their maiden Champions league voyage.

It was not to be however, as the likes of Luis Figo, Rivaldo, and Patrick Kluivert put paid to the fairy tale, ensuring a 5-1 victory on the night, comfortably seeing them into the next round.

Flo continued his footballing adventures when he left for £12m to Rangers at the end of 2000. He went on to play for Sunderland, Sienna, Valerenga, Leeds United, Milton Keynes Dons, and Sogndal.

Chelsea will welcome the sight of their former player on the youth pitches, and fans will feel the clubs younger striking talents, such as Islam Feruz and Jhon Pirez, will be in good hands as the club looks to usher in a new generation of stars.

Do you remember the Norwegian? Share your favourite Flo moment in the comments below!

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