Magnus Andersson named Norway head coach until 2030
Swedish handball legend Magnus Andersson has been appointed as the new head coach of the Norway men’s national team, the Norwegian Handball Federation confirmed on Wednesday. The 60-year-old will officially take charge on 1 August 2026, with his contract running until 31 July 2030. Henrik Kronborg will join him as assistant coach.
Andersson succeeds Jonas Wille, who had led Norway since the summer of 2022 following the departure of Christian Berge. After a disappointing ninth-place finish at the 2026 European Championship, the Norwegian Handball Federation decided not to extend Wille’s contract beyond July 2026.
As a player, Andersson was one of the most creative and intelligent playmakers of his generation. He made 310 appearances for Sweden and scored 919 goals between 1988 and 2003. He was one of the key figures of the famous “Bengan Boys” generation, winning two World Championship gold medals in 1990 and 1999, as well as two silvers and two bronzes. His medal collection also includes four European Championship gold medals and three Olympic silver medals.
Andersson built his coaching reputation through spells with HK Drott, FCK Håndbold and the Austria men’s national team, while his biggest club successes came with German side FRISCH AUF! Göppingen, whom he led to back-to-back EHF Cup titles in 2016 and 2017. He later moved to Portugal, where he turned FC Porto into a dominant force domestically, winning four Portuguese Championship titles and two Portuguese Cups between 2019 and 2023. He arrives in Norway directly from the Porto head coach position.
“I am very proud and very happy,” Andersson told the official website of the Norwegian Handball Federation. “Good handball means winning matches. Ultimately, that is what it is all about. But there are many of us, myself included, who love attractive and creative handball. Still, if you do not have strong defence, goalkeeping and counter-attacking, creativity in attack does not count for much.”
Speaking about the people who shaped his coaching philosophy, Andersson singled out Bengt Johansson, under whom he played for 15 years with the Swedish national team.
“I love creative handball, which many people may remember me for. I have also worked with many outstanding coaches. One of those who meant the most to me was Bengt Johansson. His way of working has certainly influenced my own approach as a coach. When someone leaves such a strong impression on you, it is natural that you carry part of that with you. The goal is for Norway to win matches — that is why I have been hired — but at the same time I love working with people and being part of their development,” said Andersson.
An important part of the new coaching staff will be Henrik Kronborg, who joins from Aalborg. Kronborg brings exceptional experience as part of Nikolaj Jacobsen’s Denmark coaching staff, with whom he has won eight major championship medals over the past decade, seven of them gold, including four consecutive World Championship titles.
“It will be great to work with Henrik. He has enormous experience from Danish handball, where he has won gold after gold with the national team. In addition, he will be based daily in Aalborg, where several of our national team players are playing. I am looking forward to getting started with him,” Andersson added.
Norwegian Handball Federation president Randi Gustad underlined the federation’s strong belief in the new coaching duo.
“I firmly believe this is the right coaching team for the future of Norwegian men’s handball. This is an incredibly strong signing for us. Magnus Andersson was a world-class player and someone who has helped build winning cultures at the highest level, both as a player and as a coach, in several countries and top European clubs. Together with Henrik Kronborg, who has been an important part of the development of what many consider the greatest men’s national team of all time, they form a very exciting and highly competent duo,” said Gustad.
The new coaching staff is expected to have its first gathering with the squad during the European Championship qualifiers in November, when Norway will face Georgia and Turkiye. After that, the team will turn its attention to the 2027 IHF Men’s World Championship in January.
Norway are currently in Pot 2 ahead of the draw in Munich on 10 June, after eliminating Turkiye in Qualification Europe – Phase 3 with an 80:60 aggregate victory. Since winning back-to-back World Championship silver medals in 2017 and 2019, Norway have finished sixth in both 2021 and 2023, before ending the 2025 edition in 10th place.
