Steinar Pedersen On Dortmund, Norway, And The Champions League

An interview with Steinar Pedersen, by Ben McFadyean forWFi. Steinar Pedersen is the Sporting Director of 5-time Norwegian champions Vålerenga.

The former Right-back started with the women's team in 2021, where he led the side to the national title back-to-back in 2023 and 2024, as well as the Cup in 2024. The 1-time Norway international began his professional career with IK Start in 1994 before agreeing to move to Borussia Dortmund in 1996, where the 1.81m tall versatile defender remained until 1998.

In spite of being part of the Champions League-winning side, due to persistent injuries, he was limited to 6 appearances in the first team. Born in Kristiansund, Pedersen made his debut in the Bundesliga in a 5-1 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach in 1996.

Following his release, he joined a club which became a core part of his professional career, Lillestrøm SK, with which he played five seasons. After spells with IHK Gothenburg in Sweden, and Stromsgodset back home, he ended his career back at his childhood club Start, having made 426 professional appearances, in which he scored 25 goals.

In 2014, the UEFA A-licence-holder embarked on a coaching career in the Norwegian second tier with FK Jerv. In 2016 he returned to first-tier side IK Start as manager, where he remained for two seasons before moving to third-tier side Arendal, the side promoted in 2021.

Pedersen joins Norwegian top-tier side Amazon Grimstad in the women's game, where he remains for two seasons before moving to Vålerenga. In this interview, Pedersen speaks about why Norwegian football is on the up, Bayern's tough trip to Stavanger, BVB's chances tonight at Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League, and his own experience playing for Borussia Dortmund.

Although you had limited opportunity to show your skills at Borussia Dortmund, with four appearances including two inthe Champions League, you were part of the BVB squad that won the now legendary 1997 Champions League. Dortmund were on a huge high at the time, having just won the championship in 95/96.

What was the atmosphere like at the club? A scout arranged a trial at Dortmund.

We were on summer break in Norway, and I wanted to gather more international experience and a flavour of European football. I went down to Switzerland to the summer training camp of BVB.