Norwegian football coach Åge Hareide, 72, has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. The family has chosen to share details of the serious illness discovered last summer. Son Bendik Hareide describes the news as a shock.
Åge Hareide, one of Norway's most prominent football coaches, has been battling a serious illness since last summer. It was then that he noticed something was wrong and sought medical help, leading to the brain tumor diagnosis. The family had previously announced that the 72-year-old is seriously ill, but now they have chosen to be open about the details in consultation with Hareide himself.
Since the diagnosis, Hareide has undergone six weeks of radiation treatment. He is currently taking chemotherapy tablets. The family is awaiting new scans in January to assess the disease's status. Son Bendik Hareide tells NRK that his father can speak but has difficulties with speech due to the illness and medications. "He is completely clear-headed," he adds.
Despite the challenges, Hareide was present at San Siro in Milan last Sunday, when Norway sensationally beat Italy 4–1 and qualified for the World Cup. In an interview with VG, Hareide quietly says: "It's a bit sad but there will be no more coaching jobs."
Hareide's career is impressive, with Swedish league titles for Helsingborg in 1999 and Malmö FF in 2014. He also coached Örgryte in 2009 and has served as national team coach for Norway, Denmark, and Iceland. The diagnosis has turned the daily life upside down for one of football's great personalities.