Coach Solbakken endures 40 days of little sleep protecting players
Translated from Norwegian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Ståle Solbakken has been coaching the Norwegian national football team for 40 days straight, enduring minimal sleep.
- He is protecting his players by handling media duties himself, despite his own exhaustion.
- Solbakken expects to need significant recovery time after the demanding period.
Norwegian national football team coach Ståle Solbakken is enduring an intense period, having been on duty for 40 consecutive days with reportedly little sleep. The coach is actively shielding his players from the media spotlight, choosing to absorb the pressure himself, even after demanding days.
When asked about his stamina, Solbakken expressed uncertainty about his own resilience. "I don't know. But I usually get sick after every national team gathering, and those usually last ten days. So I'll probably be bedridden for three weeks after this," he remarked, highlighting the toll the continuous work is taking.
The demanding schedule, which began on May 27, includes coaching one of the top eight national teams in the World Cup. Solbakken's commitment to protecting his players suggests a strong focus on team morale and performance, even at the expense of his personal well-being and expected summer break.
I don't know. But I usually get sick after every national team gathering, and those usually last ten days. So I'll probably be bedridden for three weeks after this.
Originally published by Aftenposten in Norwegian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.