On 15 November, Norwegian national team coach Stale Solbakken announced that the former Danish national team coach Age Hareide is seriously ill.
In an interview with the Norwegian media VG,no, the 72-year-old Norwegian says that he has been affected by brain cancer. Hareide was diagnosed with the disease in July, and it has taken a toll on him.
"A shock. I have never been sick before... but it went quick. It was all a shock. And now I have to readjust and get a different direction in my life", says Hareide to VG.
The illness means that Hareide has been forced to end his coaching career, and he is sad about that. "It's a bit of a shame... But there won't be any more coaching jobs", he says.
VG states that Hareide's voice has been severely affected by the illness and he is struggling with his motoring skills.
Hareide’s son, Bendik, told Norwegian broadcaster NRK on Monday his 72-year-old father has undergone radiation and chemotherapy treatment and was able to travel to Milan last week to see Norway qualify for the World Cup when they beat Italy 4-1 at San Siro.
Hareide, who spent three seasons in the English top division with Manchester City then Norwich, won 50 caps for Norway as a central defender though never at a major tournament.
As a coach, he was in charge of the Norwegian national team for five years but never qualified for a finals tournament until taking Denmark to the 2018 World Cup, where the Danes reached the round of 16.
Hareide also led Malmö FF to the Champions League in the 2014-15 season, the last time any Swedish team advanced to the main stage of the competition.
He won national league titles in Norway, Denmark and Sweden, with Rosenborg, Bröndby, Helsingborgs and Malmö.