Right man, wrong time? The Wolves story of Norway's Stale Solbakken | OneFootball

England meet Norway in Miami on Saturday, and attention turns to Stale Solbakken, Wolves’ brief manager in 2012. Now 58, he leads Norway into their first World Cup quarter-final, despite the nation not reaching a major tournament since 2000.

According to ExpressAndStar.com, Solbakken arrived in May 2012 talking of club DNA as the Academy gained Category One status. A surge to third after Bakary Sako’s late winner at Blackburn was followed by nine without a win, three in 17 and four straight losses, and he left hours after an FA Cup defeat at National League Luton.

The shift from Mick McCarthy’s high-tempo togetherness to a patient, continental style needed time and new faces. Big-money exits for Steven Fletcher, Matt Jarvis and Michael Kightly dragged on, while arrivals were mixed, Sako excelled but Razak Boukari’s injury bit and others struggled.

Captain Karl Henry felt the approach suited the Premier League more than a promotion chase, though he believed the club should have stuck with it longer. Keeper Carl Ikeme rated Solbakken’s methods but thought the style ill-matched to the Championship.

Perspective framed Solbakken after his heart stopped for seven minutes at Copenhagen before doctor Frank Odgaard saved him. He has punched a Brighton dugout roof, later sold for charity, and criticised FIFA for suspending a red card for Folarin Balogun.

With Norway he has built a side beyond Erling Haaland, with 21 of 37 qualifying goals scored by others. He still speaks warmly of Wolves and Wolverhampton.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com