Brede Skistad (EN)

Brede Skistad (1948–1995) left a lasting mark on Norwegian football – as a player, coach, and human being. He played 281 official football matches for Mjøndalen between 1966 and 1978, and at the same time played bandy, winning national championships in the brown MIF jersey.

But it was as a football coach that he truly became a well-known figure. After his playing career ended, he managed clubs such as Drammen Strong, Kristiansund BK, Djerv 1919, and Stord. He led both Djerv 1919 and Stord from the fourth tier to the Second Division.

In 1990, he took over as head coach of Start. He stayed for five seasons – and lifted the club back to the top of Norwegian football.

In 1991 and 1992, Start secured bronze medals in the Eliteserien after intense seasons in which the team was in contention for the league title. In 1993, the optimism faded. Start struggled and barely avoided relegation – finishing just one point above the playoff line. Ahead of the 1994 season, the club strengthened the squad, bringing back Tore André Dahlum from Rosenborg, signing Petter Belsvik from HamKam, and young Tommy Svindal Larsen from Odd. Expectations were high. Although the league title eluded them, they finished in a respectable fourth place after a strong autumn season – a period when Erik Ruthford Pedersen led the team while Brede Skistad underwent treatment.

Skistad’s time at Start ended after the 1994 season. Leukemia put a halt to his coaching career. In 1995, he made a brief comeback – two league matches and one cup match – after being declared in remission. But the illness returned. Brede Skistad died on August 25, 1995, only 47 years old.

He is remembered as the coach who believed in young talent and shaped players like Erik Mykland, Frank Strandli, and Tore André Dahlum – names that would leave a mark on Norwegian football for years. Players described him as inspiring, wise, and a true leader. Both Mykland and Morten Pettersen have called him the best coach they ever had.

In 1990, Brede Skistad was one of the candidates to take over the Norwegian national team after Ingvar Stadheim, but the job ultimately went to Egil "Drillo" Olsen.

Skistad never became national team coach. Still, many consider him one of the greatest leaders Norwegian club football has seen – a coach who built teams, developed talents, and left a lasting impression on those he led.

His son, Espen Skistad, later commented:
– My father told me that he was more concerned with developing players and teams than being a team manager.