Norwegian manager Solbakken thought about stepping down before triumphant World Cup qualifying effort

The publication "Oppstandelsen" ("The Rising") recounts the narrative of the national squad, beginning with the profound setback of Norway missing out on the 2024 European Championships, leading to the widespread elation across the country as the men's team earned a place at this year's World Cup.

Writer Alfred Fidjestol explains that he obtained an exceptional perspective on the national team's tight knit environment. He observed numerous private practice sessions, maintained ongoing discussions with Solbakken, and, for instance, spoke directly with team leader Martin Odegaard.

Following Norway's loss to Spain in October 2023, which definitively dashed hopes of reaching the 2024 European Championship, Stale Solbakken gathered essential members of the national team's circle only hours following the setback.

"I don't know if I was hated, but I don't think there is any team in Norway that is more emotional than a men's national football team. We were also very disappointed", Stale Solbakken tells NRK. "It was important to give an update after the match against Spain."

During that assembly, he indicated the need to "evaluate everything" in the wake of the substantial letdown. "I think it is important in such a phase not to just persevere, but to take a breather and think about it."

After the unsuccessful push for European Championship qualification, the national side encountered fierce backlash. Solbakken sensed he had let down the whole populace. Writer Fidjestol conversed with multiple individuals who witnessed Solbakken's announcement.

The publication notes: "He deemed it essential to update his assisting personnel on the matter. It marked a fitting juncture to reflect on what lay ahead. The chance had slipped away, and it was nine months before the national team would contest another pivotal encounter", Fidjestol tells NRK.

"Of course then he had to determine if he truly possessed the drive and conviction that he remained the suitable figure for the role. This period saw growing scepticism among many citizens", Fidjestol states in the publication.

The year succeeding the defeat to Spain, Norway claimed top spot in their Nations League section. Merely six months afterward, they launched the World Cup qualifying phase with the opening victory in a sequence of eight successive wins over eight fixtures, securing passage to the World Cup.