On November 15, the coach of the Norwegian national team Stale Solbakken revealed that former Danish national team coach Age Hareide is seriously ill.

In an interview with Norwegian media VG.no, the 72-year-old Norwegian shared that he is suffering from brain cancer. Hareide received his diagnosis in July, and it has deeply affected him.

"It was a shock. I have never been ill before... but it happened quickly. Everything was a surprise. Now I have to adjust and find a new path in life,"Hareide told VG.

Due to the illness, Hareide has had to end his coaching career, which saddens him. "It's somewhat disappointing... But there will be no more coaching jobs,"he stated.

VG reports that Hareide’s voice has been significantly impacted by the illness, and he is having difficulties with his motor skills.

Hareide’s son, Bendik, informed Norwegian broadcaster NRK on Monday that his 72-year-old father has undergone radiation and chemotherapy and was able to travel to Milan last week to witness Norway secure their World Cup qualification by defeating Italy 4-1 at San Siro.

Hareide, who played three seasons in England’s top division with Manchester City and Norwich, earned 50 caps for Norway as a central defender, though he never participated in a major tournament.

As a coach, he led the Norwegian national team for five years but never managed to qualify for a finals tournament until he took Denmark to the 2018 World Cup, where the Danish team reached the round of 16.

Hareide also guided Malmö FF to the Champions League group stage in the 2014-15 season, marking the last time a Swedish team reached the main phase of the competition.

He won national league championships in Norway, Denmark, and Sweden with Rosenborg, Bröndby, Helsingborgs, and Malmö.