It's official: Ståle Solbakken will continue as manager of the Norwegian national team until 2028.
After leading Norway to its first World Cup in 28 years, the 57-year-old is now heading towards the European Championship in Ireland and Great Britain - with a new and historic contract in his pocket.
– Ståle is definitely the best national team manager we could have had, says football president Lise Klaveness.
A new era in Norwegian football
After breaking 12 qualifiers without a playoff and leading Norway to the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, the question was whether Solbakken would give up on the top. The answer was no.
– I've had other opportunities that I've known about for a long time. But I've decided that this is what I want to do now. I have a very good feeling about it, said Solbakken when the news was announced on Thursday afternoon.
He thus continues his collaboration with a Norwegian golden generation in their prime: Ødegaard, Haaland, Aursnes, Thorstvedt and Co. – players who will now be built on towards Euro 2028.
Becomes the highest paid of all time
The Norwegian Football Association has gone to great lengths to keep its most sought-after man.
Solbakken receives 10 million kroner in annual salary, and can collect a bonus of 5 million kroner upon qualifying for the championship.
– We have never done that before, but we definitely think Ståle is worth it, said general secretary Karl-Petter Løken.
Solbakken himself wanted part of the bonus to go to the support staff.
– I wanted it to trickle down more to those around me. After all, this is also a team effort, said the national team manager.
Clear message from Ståle: – The 2030 World Cup will be without me
Even with a new contract until 2028, Solbakken makes it clear that this will be his last period.
– In the summer of 2028, both I and the players are approaching a saturation point. The World Cup in 2030 will be without me, he tells VG.
After seven and a half years in charge, it will be a natural end to an era in Norwegian football.
From Grue to the world stage
Solbakken has been everything from a HamKam and FCK legend to a Cologne and Wolves coach, before taking over as Norwegian national team manager in 2020.
Now he stands as the man who finally managed what no one else has done since 2000 – leading Norway to a championship.
58 internationals as a player, and now almost 70 as a coach. Few – if any – have meant more to Norwegian football in modern times.
90minutefamily's verdict
This is not just an extension – it is a signal of faith, stability and ambition. With Solbakken at the helm and a national team that finally delivers, Norwegian football is back where we want to be: in the spotlight, on the way to something big.
And honestly? We like it that way.
