Azerbaijani national team’s rival appoints new manager

Baku. 1 February. REPORT.AZ/ Azerbaijan’s rivals in 2018 World Cup qualification group – Norway has new manager.

Report informs, referring to official web site of Football Association of Norway, Lars Lagerback is appointed as new manager of national team.

68-year-old specialist, who replaced Per-Mathias Høgmo, signed contract until 2019. His first challenge with new team will be an away match with North Ireland on March 29. Scandinavians will next meet Czech Republic in another away game on June 10.

Lagerback commented on his appointment: "This is a challenge that really motivates me. Results so far in the World Cup qualifiers have not been good so we must be frank about where we are. However, I see the potential in this team."

Lagerbäck took Sweden to five major tournaments, but one of his finest achievements came last summer when, as joint coach alongside Heimir Hallgrímsson, he helped Iceland to the last eight of UEFA EURO 2016, masterminding a memorable 2-1 defeat of England along the way.

Azerbaijan national squad defeated Norway 1:0 at first match in the group. The secong game will take place on September 1 in Oslo.