You’ve got to admire Lawrie Sanchez’s pluck.
Having failed to get near a return to club management since his dart at the Fulham job ended in dismal failure, Sanchez has turned his attentions to the international arena. He has declared his interest in coaching Norway, who have been without a coach since Aage Hareide resigned after a disappointing start to their World Cup qualifying campaign.
I’ve had a look at the job and I’m very interested. Norway have a very good side, I’m available and I hope to get an interview with the Norwegian FA.
In fairness to Sanchez, he certainly has an impressive record at international level. He took unfancied Northern Ireland from a horrible winless and goalless streak at Windsor Park to the brink of qualification for Euro 2008 when he took over at Fulham. And, in true Sanchez style, he doesn’t understate his case.
My results on an international level speak for themselves. I don’t know if anyone ever has climbed 97 places with a team in the FIFA world rankings.
I managed to get a small side to compete with the big guns and Norway seem to be in a similar position now to the one Northern Ireland were in when I took over.
Now it’s all about the Norwegian FA deciding for themselves if they want a Norwegian or foreign coach. As I said, I would like to talk to them.
You’ll be relieved to hear, however, that Roy Hodgson has ruled himself out of the running.
Nobody has been in contact with me from Norway. It’s a job that could interest me if I was free to take it, but I’m contracted to Fulham.
Fulham have treated me very well and I have never entertained thoughts of breaking my contract with them. I fully intend to stay with Fulham and hopefully they will be as happy with me as I am with them.
I once made the mistake of breaking a contract with a very good club, FC Copenhagen, to go to Italy and I would like to say that I wouldn’t do so again.
