Editing Molde FK (section)

===From "Gunder method" to relegation (2001–2006)===
On 6 November 2000, after the sacking of Erik Brakstad, [[Gunder Bengtsson]] was announced head coach for two years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vg.no/sport/fotball/norsk/artikkel.php?artid=7957748 |language=no |title=Bengtsson ny Molde-trener |work=vg.no |publisher=[[Verdens Gang|VG]] |date=6 November 2000 |access-date=30 November 2011 |archive-date=21 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140121030705/http://www.vg.no/sport/fotball/norsk/artikkel.php?artid=7957748 |url-status=live }}</ref> After one season, Bengtsson and his assistant [[Kalle Björklund]] were signed for three more years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/sport/article295989.ece |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717122304/http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/sport/article295989.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 July 2012 |language=no |title=Gunder Molde-trener i tre nye år |work=ap.no |publisher=[[Aftenposten]] |date=18 March 2002 |access-date=30 November 2011 }}</ref> In 2002, Gunder Bengtsson led Molde to second place in the league, but like when he won the league with Vålerenga in 1983 and 1984, there was not much enthusiasm around the club's sixth silver medal because of the defensive tactics and lack of local players in the squad.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fotball.rbnett.no/mfk100/article202817.ece |language=no |title=- De fikk resultater, men vant ikke folket |work=rbnett.no |publisher=[[Romsdals Budstikke]] |date=10 June 2011 |access-date=20 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814232710/http://fotball.rbnett.no/mfk100/article202817.ece |archive-date=14 August 2011 }}</ref>

In the first six matches of the [[2003 Tippeligaen|2003 season]], Molde collected five points. On 22 May 2003, Bengtsson was fired and replaced by [[Odd Berg (footballer)|Odd Berg]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dagbladet.no/sport/2003/05/22/369364.html |language=no |title=Molde-trener fikk sparken |work=dagbladet.no |publisher=[[Dagbladet]] |first=John |last=Rasmussen |date=22 May 2003 |access-date=30 May 2012 |archive-date=10 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310214643/http://www.dagbladet.no/sport/2003/05/22/369364.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nrk.no/sport/fotball/eliteserien/1.1185833 |language=no |title=Gunder Bengtsson ferdig i Molde |work=nrk.no |publisher=[[Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=22 May 2003 |access-date=8 June 2012 |archive-date=10 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230910083245/https://www.nrk.no/sport/fotball/gunder-bengtsson-ferdig-i-molde-1.1185833 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the third round of [[2003 Norwegian Football Cup|2003 Norwegian Cup]], Molde were eliminated by second-tier club [[Skeid Fotball|Skeid]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nrk.no/sport/fotball/1.1161202 |language=no |title=Skeid vant fortjent over Molde |work=nrk.no |publisher=[[Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation|NRK]] |date=25 June 2003 |access-date=25 December 2011 |archive-date=10 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230910083202/https://www.nrk.no/sport/fotball/skeid-vant-fortjent-over-molde-1.1161202 |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite the change in the coaching staff, Molde was struggling in the relegation zone throughout the season, but after a 3–2 win away against Sogndal in the last match of the season, Molde avoided the relegation playoffs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nrk.no/sport/fotball/eliteserien/1.1186965 |language=no |title=Lettelse i Molde, Berg fortsetter |work=nrk.no |publisher=[[Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=1 November 2003 |access-date=8 June 2012 |archive-date=19 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819053829/http://www.nrk.no/sport/fotball/eliteserien/1.1186965 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2004, the team led by [[Reidar Vågnes]], former assistant coach under Erik Brakstad, but Molde only managed 11th place, four points clear of relegation.

In 2005, [[Bo Johansson]] became head coach of Molde, and on 15 June 2005, Molde won 3–2 against [[Nybergsund IL-Trysil|Nybergsund]] to qualify for the fourth round of the Norwegian Cup, having lost in the third round for three consecutive years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nrk.no/sport/fotball/1.1173069 |language=no |title=Molde snublet seg videre |work=nrk.no |publisher=[[Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation|NRK]] |date=15 June 2005 |access-date=25 December 2011 |archive-date=10 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230910083202/https://www.nrk.no/sport/fotball/molde-snublet-seg-videre-1.1173069 |url-status=live }}</ref> Molde finished 12th in the league and had to play in the relegation playoff against Moss, which Molde won 5–2 on aggregate. Molde won their second Norwegian Cup title on 6 November 2005 when they won 4–2 after extra time against [[Lillestrøm SK|Lillestrøm]] in the [[2005 Norwegian Football Cup final|final]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fotball.rbnett.no/mfk100/article202954.ece |language=no |title=- Cupfinalen i 2005 er den største kampen i karrieren |work=rbnett.no |publisher=[[Romsdals Budstikke]] |date=12 June 2011 |access-date=25 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814234035/http://fotball.rbnett.no/mfk100/article202954.ece |archive-date=14 August 2011 }}</ref> Bo Johansson left Molde after only one season with the club, and on Christmas Eve, [[Arild Stavrum]] was announced as the new head coach.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/nrk_more_og_romsdal/sport_nrk_more_og_romsdal/5347441.html |language=no |title=Arild Stavrum ny Molde-trener |work=NRK.no |publisher=[[Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation|NRK]] |date=24 December 2005 |access-date=6 December 2011 |archive-date=9 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209001213/http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/nrk_more_og_romsdal/sport_nrk_more_og_romsdal/5347441.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following the Norwegian Cup champions, Molde played in the [[2006–07 UEFA Cup]]. On 25 August 2006, they were drawn to face Scottish giants [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] in the first round. They were eliminated 2–0 on aggregate after holding Rangers to a 0–0 draw at the Aker Stadion.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/5384592.stm |title=Rangers 2–0 Molde |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date=24 July 2011 |first=Thomas |last=McGuigan |date=28 September 2006 |archive-date=11 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711140520/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/5384592.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> The same year, Molde was relegated, having been in the relegation zone for the last four seasons. The relegation became final after losing 8–0 against [[Stabæk Fotball|Stabæk]] at [[Nadderud]] in the second-last match of the season. Arild Stavrum was fired at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nrk.no/sport/fotball/eliteserien/1.1291502 |title=Stavrum fikk sparken |language=no |work=nrk.no |publisher=[[Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation|NRK]] |date=8 November 2006 |access-date=20 December 2011 |archive-date=10 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230910083202/https://www.nrk.no/sport/fotball/stavrum-fikk-sparken-1.1291502 |url-status=live }}</ref>