New Country Offers

Former assistant coach of the national football team, Per Joar “Perry” Hansen (55), confirms that the final agreement with the Norwegian Football Association is in order.

Therefore, neither he nor Lars Lagerbäck (72) have anything unresolved with the association after they were fired as coaches of the national team in early December.

– I do not comment on the agreement itself. But we agree that we agree. So the case is out of the world to me. The working relationship with the Norwegian Football Association is over, “Perry” tells Dagbladet.

He and Lagerbäck originally had a contract until June 2022. There is reason to believe that they will be paid for the duration of the contract, without “Perry” saying anything about it.

– So now you are free and independent?

– Yes.

Both Lagerbäck and “Perry” were set to face next year’s World Cup qualifiers, where Norway will face the Netherlands, Turkey, Montenegro, Latvia and Gibraltar. Now, instead, he will be with Ståle Solbakken at the helm.

But the collaboration between Lagerbäck and “Perry” isn’t necessarily over. The former Norwegian assistant coach admits that the duo received an offer to coach the national soccer team to another country.

– I don’t want to comment on which country. But we have said no, then it is out of the world.

– Did you get the offer as a coaching duo?

– Yes.

– Why did you say no?

– It is too close in time and too close to what has happened. Besides, it was very far.

– How much time did you spend evaluating the offer?

– A couple of days.

– Is this what you want: to continue working together?

– Lars is strong and ready. He still wants to work with soccer. We’ve already received requests that we’ve said no to, so we’ll see what happens.

Hansen continues:

– I think we are going to dedicate some time, so we do not launch into new projects. But we have worked incredibly well together. We have very similar thoughts, especially about how national teams should and will function. We agree on this.

AND:

– I don’t think Lars has the intention of retiring completely yet. He still has a lot to contribute.

– So you’re still hungry for a coaching position?

– Yes, at least one piece of paper. I don’t know one hundred percent if he wants to continue as a coach. But it can be used in all roles in and around a national team. The day it becomes relevant, consider it. But for now he’s sitting quietly in the boat.

Lagerbäck will be sought again as coach of the national team in Iceland after Erik Hamrén left. It was hugely successful here from 2012 to 2016. But “Perry” won’t say anything about today’s countries.

When Ståle Solbakken was fired from FC Copenhagen, the Norwegian Football Association asked if it was okay for Lagerbäck to talk to him.

– How did you get the message that it’s over?

– It was Lars who got it first. Then he handed it to me.

– How did you experience it?

– He has to answer that himself.

– What’s the matter with you?

– It’s like this in this game here, that you never know what’s going on. My focus has always been to do the best job possible with Lars. And then you never know when things will end in top football. It is part of the nature of top-level football that such things happen all the time.

– But were you ready to qualify for the World Cup with Norway?

– Absolutely. We were one hundred percent motivated by that.

– Are you bitter in any way?

– It does not benefit anyone to be bitter in football. So you are using the energy incorrectly. It is not possible to look back. The Norwegian Football Association and the A national team are a closed chapter, at least for my part. Just wishing for new ones costs good luck. And then Lars and I have to move on.

– Is everything finished also by Lagerbäck?

– It’s probably one hundred percent finished too. Everything must be fixed.

– What do you think of Ståle Solbakken as the new coach of the national team?

– Ståle is indisputably an expert and professional coach. He is one of the few in Norway who knows international football, so he can be very good. The future should be bright for both the coaches and the players. Hopefully Norway can make the playoffs, it’s time.

– Did you talk to Solbakken?

– Yes, I do. I have known Ståle for 20 years. We have talked about different things around the team, how we have organized and how he plans to do it.

– What about the future? What coach do you want to remain?

– I haven’t thought about it much. In Norway I have coached teams from the Elite Series to the 4th division. I’ve been to the Allsvenskan, I’ve had the U21 team and I’ve been with Lars for four years. I have experienced a lot. Looking ahead, there must be something that triggers me correctly. But you never know in the soccer industry. You can’t plan much. It is a coincidence who they offer you to and what doors are opened. I just have to wait and see what happens, says “Perry” to Dagbladet.