Stale Solbakken has introduced he’s more likely to step down as Norway head coach when his contract expires after the 2026 World Cup marketing campaign.
The previous midfielder took over the nationwide aspect in 2020 with the hopes of returning Norway to a significant event. Nevertheless, he has been unable to qualify for one regardless of having gamers like Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard amongst his ranks.
Norway completed third of their qualification group for Euro 2024, six factors under Scotland, having solely received three of their eight matches.
With the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico developing in 2026, Solbakken’s sights are set on enjoying on the world stage for the primary time since France 1998, however he says his time with the nationwide crew is not going to prolong past that in the event that they do qualify.
“I’ll take this qualification from time to time there’s a excessive likelihood that I’ll do one thing else after that regardless,” he informed reporters on Monday, including he’ll stay in cost if Norway qualify for the World Cup and step down after the finals.
Troppen mot Kasakhstan og Østerrike er klar pic.twitter.com/wdhdb3Hqqs
— Fotballandslaget (@nff_landslag) August 27, 2024
“Whereas I’m nonetheless younger and virile, I need to do one thing else too – I’ve stated no to a lot of membership jobs that basically tempted me, however I’m decided to make one final try right here, after which I feel that’s it.
“I actually get pleasure from being with the boys, however there are far too few [international] matches. The final seven or eight months have been a nightmare with 4 pleasant video games, and the final two main into the boys’ summer time holidays.”
Solbakken was a part of Norway’s squad in 1998 once they reached the final 16, and at Euro 2000 within the Netherlands and Belgium, Norway’s final look at a significant finals, as they didn’t make it out of the group.
Qualification for the 2026 World Cup begins in both March or June 2025, relying on the upcoming Nations League outcomes, with Norway beginning their League B Group 3 marketing campaign towards Kazakhstan on Friday.
