Published • loading... • Updated
When Erling Haaland’s youth coaches realized he was something special
- On Tuesday, June 16, 2026, Erling Haaland makes his World Cup debut as Norway faces Iraq in their opening group game.
- Youth coach Espen Undheim recalls the "skinny" kid at Bryne FK in southern Norway, who possessed a burning passion for soccer and spent nearly all his free time on an indoor pitch.
- Former youth coach Leif Gunnar Smerud notes that Haaland's lack of early physical size forced him to prioritize timing and technique, which shaped his positioning and movement skills.
- Haaland moved to Borussia Dortmund in a transfer worth over $20 million after his time at Molde, later joining Manchester City where he scored 100 goals in just 111 Premier League matches.
- Plans are underway to invite 1,000 youth players to the indoor arena in Bryne to watch Norway play France, where a 50-meter painting of Haaland commemorates his hometown roots.
Insights by Ground AI
12 Articles
12 Articles
Local 3 News+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Espen Undheim smiles as he remembers the first training sessions in which he first met Erling Haaland. The superstar striker looked nothing like the physical portent he is today, but his former coach remembers having...
When Erling Haaland’s youth coaches realized he was something special
Espen Undheim smiles as he recalls the early training sessions where he first met Erling Haaland. The superstar striker wasn’t anywhere near the physical specimen he is today, but his former coach remembers seeing flashes of potential in the “skinny” kid, who had such a burning passion for the sport.
·Atlanta, United States
Read Full Article
Haaland represented Norway on several young scales, but it was at the 2019 Under-20 World Cup that he really drew attention. He scored nine goals in one game
·Portugal
Read Full Article
Father's Day SaleGet 40% off Vantage subscriptions for yourself or a friend.Get Started
Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left1Leaning Right0Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution90% Center
Bias Distribution
- 90% of the sources are Center
90% Center
C 90%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
