Nils Arne Eggen Wiki

                                                      Nils Arne Eggen Biography

Who was Nils Arne Eggen ?

LEGENDARY Norwegian coach Nils Arne Eggen has passed away at the age of 80.

The former Rosenborg and Norway national team coach is one of his country’s biggest football icons.

He managed for 45 years and the longevity of him was something to behold.

He coached Rosenborg for 23 years in six spells between 1971 and 2010.

During his time with the club, he won a remarkable 14 league titles and six Norwegian Cups, while also qualifying for the Champions League.

And Eggen also took charge of Norway between 1974 and 1977, narrowly missing out on qualifying for the 1978 World Cup.

He won the Norwegian Coach of the Year award seven times, all in the 1990s.

Former Norwegian footballer Jan Aage Fjortoft posted a moving tribute on social media that read: “One of the greatest legends of Norwegian football, Nils Arne Eggen, has died.

“The ‘Sir Alex’ of Rosenborg who triumphed in the Champions League with almost only ‘homegrown’ players.

Eggen coached Rosenborg over five different decadesCredit

“A fantastic personality that I loved being around. RIP.”

And Rosenborg BK also paid tribute to their former manager with a statement that read: “It is with sadness that Rosenborg received the message today that the club’s greatest legend is dead.

“Nils Arne slept peacefully into Wednesday night with his immediate family by his side.”

A Norwegian football fan said: “Rest in peace, Nils Arne Eggen. You brought back some of the best memories for Norwegian football fans. A true legend.”

While another added: “Norway’s top football manager.”

Eggen also enjoyed a playing career before establishing himself as an elite coach.

He won the Norwegian top flight twice with Rosenborg, in 1967 and 1969.

And during his first title as a player, he was also named the division’s Player of the Year.