Reunion Time For Rob With Familiar Gaffer

Rob Kelly has embarked on his latest role after linking up again with Uwe Rosler, this time in Denmark.

The highly experienced former Wolves midfielder and coach has joined Aarhus after previously working with the German at Malmo, Fortuna Dusseldorf and in English football.

And he is delighted to be back in work quickly – and into a new league season no less.

“I was visiting my brother in Australia when Uwe rang to ask if I was interested in going in with him again,” Kelly said. “I talked the offer over with my wife and she is going to be arriving here soon as well.

“The club finished fifth in the top division last season and are from the second biggest city in Denmark, so it is an attractive new challenge for me at this time in my career.”

Kelly replaces long-time former Crystal Palace coach Dave Reddington as assistant to head coach Rosler and was on the touchline for Friday’s season-opening 1-1 home draw against 2023-24 champions Midtjylland.

Their next game is on Sunday at Copenhagen, where the duo successfully signed off their Malmo stint together with a Europa League win in December, 2019.

“I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to work with Uwe again at a progressive club with good people,” the 59-year-old added. “It’s a nice university city and they are building a new academy and stadium.

“I’ve already got myself a flat as a base and Sarah and our dog will be moving over properly to join me during the first international break.

“I didn’t know whether my travelling days were over after the spell I had in Dusseldorf during covid but this is an exciting challenge which I’m delighted to have in front of me.”

Rosler and Kelly were back in England just over a week ago for Aarhus’s 2-1 friendly victory over relegated Luton, having first gone into partnership together at Leeds and Fleetwood.

“I have known Rob for a long time and he is the embodiment of the values we cherish at our club,” Rosler said on Aarhus’s official website.

“He stands for hard work and loyalty and comes with a wealth of experience from many different roles in football. He has demonstrated his ability to adapt to different football cultures and he will be a valuable part of our staff in the future work.”

The sports director at Aarhus – full name Aarhus Gymnastikforening (AGF) – is Norwegian-born former Liverpool and Blackburn defender Stig Inge Bjørnebye. He said: “Rob is exactly the profile we need.

“It is a great advantage that he and Uwe have worked together before, and know and respect each other.”

Kelly’s last role was with Rotherham alongside Leam Richardson, who was also his boss for most of his two seasons at Wigan.