Rosenborg, Norway's most powerful club, are sixth in the domestic league and the board of directors decided that a change should take place for the good of the team, chairman Terje Svendsen said.

Discussions over the future of the club led to releasing the coach from his duties, Svendsen was quoted as saying by the club website.

However, the team still have a chance to advance to the knock-out stage in the Champions League, placed second in Group B, with leaders Chelsea leading by just three points.

Svendsen said that Toerum's work last season will always be remembered and appreciated.

Toerum was appointed midway through last season and weathered a storm of bad results hitting the team then.

Rosenborg have won the league 13 successive times from 1992 till 2004.