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Gregersen opens up about leaving the US: They tried to freeze me out

From Aftenposten · () Norwegian

Translated from Norwegian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Interview Named sources Outcome reported
  • Stian Gregersen said Gerardo Martino tried to freeze him out from his first day at Atlanta, but he eventually earned his place in the team.
  • The Norwegian defender has joined Malmö FF after leaving Atlanta and made his debut in a 1-0 away win over Sirius.
  • Gregersen said Atlanta increasingly favored Spanish-speaking and South American players after Martino took over.

Stian Gregersen says Gerardo “Tata” Martino tried to freeze him out from the moment he arrived at Atlanta, but the Norwegian defender fought his way back into the team.

“ He tried to freeze me out from day one. But I kept fighting, showed character and actually managed to play my way into the team after a while,” Gregersen told Aftonbladet.

The 31-year-old centre-back has since signed for Malmö FF and made a dream debut, helping secure a 1-0 away victory over Sirius. He joined the Swedish club from Atlanta, where Martino took over as coach in November 2025 after Ronny Deila left.

He tried to freeze me out from day one. But I kept fighting, showed character and actually managed to play my way into the team after a while.

· Stian GregersenGregersen described his struggle to establish himself under Gerardo Martino at Atlanta.

Gregersen said Martino’s arrival transformed the club. Spanish became the required language, he said, while European players gradually disappeared and South Americans arrived. Atlanta had eight Europeans in the squad before Martino’s arrival, but Gregersen believes only three remained afterward. He said a Spanish-speaking player eventually took his place.

Gregersen also confirmed that Bodø/Glimt showed interest in signing him during the summer. He chose Malmö instead, where the team is coached by former Bodø/Glimt assistant Gaute Helstrup. “It was perfect,” Gregersen said.

Gregersen began his career at Molde before moving to Bordeaux in 2021 and Atlanta in 2024. He made his Norway debut against Turkey in 2021, and his most recent international appearance came against Israel in spring 2025.

It was perfect.

· Stian GregersenHe explained his decision to join Malmö, coached by former Bodø/Glimt assistant Gaute Helstrup.
About this summary

Originally published by Aftenposten in Norwegian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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