Olsen decides to stay at Denmark helm until 2014
Monday, October 31, 2011
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Morten Olsen cited "the potential in the players we have" for his decision to retract his decision to step down as Denmark coach and instead extend his contract until summer 2014.
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Morten Olsen has performed an unexpected U-turn by signing a two-year contract extension as Denmark coach rather than stepping down after UEFA EURO 2012 as planned.
In charge of the national team since 2000, Olsen announced last November that the road to next summer's finals would be his last qualifying campaign at the helm. However, having successfully guided Denmark to Poland and Ukraine – by virtue of a 2-1 win against Portugal in their final fixture – Olsen, 62, has decided to retain control for 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying.
"I still see potential in the players we have, and in the players who are on their way," he said. "When players tap you on the shoulder and tell you they would like you to stay on, then you have to think about it."
Such support was all too evident in the words of captain Thomas Sørensen. "It is great news for the national team and for Danish football in general," said the Stoke City FC goalkeeper. "As a team we are in a good place at the moment. It would have been frustrating if that development was interrupted, which would have been the case, by a new coach coming in."
