‘He convinced us right from the start’: Red Bull Salzburg sporting director reveals Erling Haaland’s quality was clear when he first spotted him… and why he’s NOT upset the 20-year-old moved to Borussia Dortmund
- Erling Haaland moved to Red Bull Salzburg in August 2018 from Molde
- The goalscoring machine shone in the Champions League for the Austrian side
- The striker’s finishing has not deserted him since joining Borussia Dortmund
The sporting director of Erling Haaland‘s former club Red Bull Salzburg says they were convinced they had to sign the superstar striker ‘right from the start’.
Christoph Freund spotted his talent and helped lure Haaland to Austria from Molde for around £7m over the summer of 2018, with the 20-year-old quickly repaying his new employers handsomely after making his debut in January the following year.
Haaland scored 29 goals in 27 games during his time at the club, helping Salzburg qualify for the Champions League group stages for only the second time in the club’s history.
Erling Haaland lit up the Champions League group stages last season for Red Bull Salzburg
The Norwegian’s star began to soar as he bagged three goals in two clashes against Napoli and scored Salzburg’s third as they threatened a sensational comeback against Liverpool at Anfield before ultimately losing 4-3.
Haaland’s sensational form had by now caught the eye of Borussia Dortmund, who saw off rival interest from other big clubs including Manchester United to purchase the son of former Manchester City midfielder Alf-Inge Haaland for the cut-price sum of €20m (£18m) in January this year. He has continued to excel.
‘It was a very long process to get Erling,’ Freund revealed to Goal and Spox.
‘We first noticed him in 2016 at a game for the Norwegian Under-16 national team. Because it was difficult to get recordings of his games, we had it filmed.
‘He convinced us right from the start, so the scout contacted him and his father. It is a great advantage to be in personal contact with a talent and their guardians before any other potentially interested club.
‘That was in 2018. He seemed very focused, intelligent and self-confident to me. He knew exactly what he wanted.’
Haaland move to Borussia Dortmund did not affect his scoring touch domestically or in Europe
Freund considered Haaland’s eventual departure inevitable and accepts Salzburg’s status as a feeder club.
‘Erling was not only a special story in this respect. That doesn’t hurt at all, it makes us proud because it’s part of our concept,’ he said.
‘The player can take the next step, we get income through a transfer, which we can invest in scouting and new talent, among other things.
Haaland will face last season’s Bundesliga top scorer Robert Lewandowski this Saturday
‘In addition, there is again a free place in the squad that the next talent can take. It is a confirmation for us that we are on the right path.’
Haaland has bagged 24 goals in 27 games for Dortmund and already has 14 strikes to his name for club and country this season.
Lucien Favre’s men will look to move top into the top two of their Champions League when they visit Club Bruges on Wednesday, before attempting to leapfrog Bundesliga champions and leaders Bayern Munich three days later.