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Coach 'Died' for 7 Mins, Now Eyes World Cup Semis
11 Jul
Summary
- Solbakken's heart stopped for seven minutes in 2001.
- He recovered without neurological damage but career ended.
- He took over as Norway coach in 2020 with a bold promise.
Stale Solbakken, the current coach of Norway's national football team, has a remarkable story of resilience. In 2001, while playing for FC Copenhagen, Solbakken suffered a heart attack that caused his heart to stop for seven minutes. He was clinically dead but revived by doctors.
Although he recovered fully without brain damage, Solbakken's playing career was over due to a congenital heart defect. This life-altering event prompted a shift in his perspective, prioritizing what truly matters. He quickly transitioned into coaching, starting with youth teams and progressing to club management in Norway and Germany.
Solbakken later managed Wolverhampton Wanderers before returning to FC Copenhagen, where he achieved league success. He took on the role of Norway's coach in 2020. Facing pressure after the team missed out on the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024, he vowed to resign if they did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup, a goal his team is now actively pursuing.
