Stale Solbakken
Stale Solbakken is the most successful Norwegian club manager of his generation, having built FC Copenhagen into a dominant force in Scandinavian football across two separate spells. His brief, unhappy tenure at Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2012-13 is the outlier in an otherwise impressive record. As Norway national team manager he has overseen a side built around Erling Haaland but has worked to ensure the team functions when Haaland is absent or isolated. His 4-3-3 typically demands high pressing and vertical play. Qualifying Norway for a first World Cup since 1998 would represent the defining achievement of his career.
Kongsvinger, Norway · 1968-02-27
Profile
Stale Solbakken is a Norwegian who built his reputation at FC Copenhagen, winning multiple Danish Superliga titles and reaching the Champions League knockout rounds. He returned for a second spell in charge of Norway in 2022, setting the team up in a pragmatic 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 that funnels the ball quickly to Haaland. He prioritises vertical, direct transitions and defensive compactness, accepting that Norway's quality is concentrated in two or three individuals rather than spread across the squad.
Career
Norway2021 – presentNorway2020 – present
FC Copenhagen2013 – 2020
Wolverhampton Wanderers2012 – 2013
FC Cologne2011 – 2012FC Copenhagen2006 – 2011
HamKam2002 – 2005Team identity
Solbakken typically deploys a 4-3-3 with Ødegaard as the advanced central midfielder, Sander Berge providing defensive cover behind him, and Patrick Berg completing the trio. Julian Ryerson and Marcus Pedersen push forward as attacking full-backs to create width, freeing Haaland to operate centrally. The shape collapses into a compact 4-5-1 without the ball, with the team looking to win possession and release Haaland in behind with one or two passes.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Norway's manager at the 2026 World Cup?
Stale Solbakken is the head coach of Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
What is Stale Solbakken's background?
Stale Solbakken is the most successful Norwegian club manager of his generation, having built FC Copenhagen into a dominant force in Scandinavian football across two separate spells. His brief, unhappy tenure at Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2…