Ståle Solbakken has been the manager of the Norway national team since 2020, earning the role after an impressive spell in charge of FC Copenhagen. The 57-year-old built a strong reputation as a club manager, particularly in Denmark, where he won eight league titles and achieved a 56% win rate. His success at club level convinced the Norwegian Football Federation that he was the right man to bring the national team back to the forefront of European football.
However, international football presents a different kind of challenge, and Solbakken has discovered just how difficult it can be to achieve consistent results on the national stage. Norway has not qualified for a major football tournament since Euro 2000, and one of his main tasks when appointed was to end that long drought. Despite making some progress and building a competitive team, five years later, he is still yet to guide the national side to a major competition. His win rate with the national team stands at 54%, a respectable figure but not one that has delivered the success the country had hoped for.
Norway is currently enjoying one of its most talented generations in decades, featuring top European stars like Erling Haaland, Martin Ødegaard, and Julian Ryerson. With so much quality at his disposal, many feel that Solbakken should have achieved more by now. The expectations on his shoulders have grown heavier with each campaign that ends in disappointment, and questions are now being asked about whether he is the right man to lead the team going forward.
In all fairness, Solbakken has done a commendable job in shaping the team and providing some stability, but he may lack the experience and tactical edge required to get the best out of this exciting group. The concern for many fans is that the current golden generation may be wasted if the right leadership is not in place to guide them to the next level. Norway cannot afford to miss another opportunity, and the football federation may need to consider whether a more experienced manager is necessary to realise the full potential of this team.
