Rosenborg's Eggen to retire

Nils Arne Eggen, the Rosenborg BK coach, has confirmed that he will step down from his post at the end of the season.

Future lies elsewhere
The 61-year-old Eggen was given a mid-summer deadline by the club to come to a decision about his future but decided that his priorities lay elsewhere. "I think I deserve to think about something else other than football which I've been doing for the last 42 years," Eggen said.

Time with family
Eggen is the most successful club coach in Norwegian football but is now looking to spend more time with his family. "I need to do something else. I have a wife who has been very patient. I'd also like to spend time with my grandchildren," he said.

Early candidates
His announcement comes on the same day that the Norwegian coach Aage Hareide announced his decision to quit as coach of Danish Superligaen leaders Brøndby IF, fuelling speculation that Hareide could be heading for Lerkendal. Other early candidates include Club Brugge KV coach Trond Sollied and Eggen's current assistant Ola By Rise.

Poor start
Rosenborg got off to a poor start to the new Tippeligaen season when they lost 1-0 to Odds BK at home on Sunday evening.