Questions linger before coach appointment: 'No secret'

Magnus Andersson, the 60-year-old Swedish coach, is widely expected to be appointed as the new head coach of the Norwegian men's national handball team, with Danish coach Henrik Kronborg reportedly set to join as his assistant. This potential appointment comes after Kristian Kjelling and Børge Lund were informed they are out of contention for the role.

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I think Magnus Andersson is a good fit as a person. He is perhaps not the one who seeks the public eye. The last few years have been about lifting Portuguese handball. The progress has been significant. As a coach, he has a better CV than the two Norwegian candidates. It is impossible to criticize the Norwegian Handball Federation for going for these names.

Handball expert Ole Erevik expressed his views on the impending decision, noting that while Andersson is a strong candidate with a good CV, there are questions surrounding both him and Kronborg. Erevik believes that hiring an internationally recognized coach should have happened earlier, suggesting that the Norwegian Handball Federation missed an opportunity when Christian Berge stepped down in 2022.

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But there are also questions and challenges surrounding Andersson and Kronborg that will be interesting to follow. It is no secret.

Erevik also voiced concerns about the increasing reliance on foreign coaches. He feels that prioritizing international talent might sideline the Norwegian handball identity and potentially hinder the development of emerging domestic players. Erevik argued that Norwegian candidates would possess better insight into the younger generation of players, which he deems crucial for the team's future.

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I wish this choice had been made four years ago. The foreign candidates were stronger and more suitable for Norway then than is the case now.

Furthermore, Erevik commented on the commercial aspect, suggesting that a more prominent face might be needed to boost the team's brand and attract sponsors. He speculated that Kristian Kjelling might have been a better choice from a marketing perspective, expressing uncertainty about how well Andersson and Kronborg resonate with the Norwegian handball public.

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I can understand those in Norwegian handball who question whether it is right to give all roles to foreign coaches. It can push the Norwegian identity aside.