Norwegian Coach Solbakken Clashes with Mourinho Over Schjelderup's Playing Time

Jose Mourinho and Norwegian coach in war of words

Jose Mourinho and Norwegian coach Stale Solbakken engage in a war of words over Andreas Schjelderup's playing time and development at Benfica.

“I am available to any national coach who wants to contact me, but I want to have respect when the player...”

A war of words has erupted between Norwegian international team coach Stale Solbakken and Benfica's Jose Mourinho over Andreas Schjelderup's lack of playing time. Solbakken believes it's the club coach's responsibility to give Schjelderup the necessary game time to develop and keep up with the team. This stance comes as Schjelderup has been selected for Norway's upcoming World Cup qualifying match against Israel.

Jose Mourinho has fired back, stating that national coaches should focus on their own work and respect the club's decisions regarding player deployment. He emphasized that Schjelderup struggles with maintaining intensity over 90 minutes and sacrificing himself in defensive transitions. According to Mourinho, most national coaches would be satisfied with his approach to balancing club and national team responsibilities.

Solbakken disagrees, pointing out that Schjelderup's inability to last 90 minutes stems from a lack of opportunities to play full games. “If he never plays 90 minutes, he will never become a 90-minute player,” Solbakken said, implying that Mourinho's perspective might be shortsighted. Solbakken's comments suggest that Benfica should take a more proactive role in developing Schjelderup's endurance and game fitness.

In a recent interview with Portuguese media outlet “A Bola,” Jose Mourinho expressed concerns about Benfica's young forward Andreas Schjelderup, stating that “he struggles with it for over 90 minutes with the intensity and sacrificing himself in the transitions.” This critique has sparked a war of words between Mourinho and Norwegian national team coach Stale Solbakken.

Solbakken fired back, emphasizing that it's a coach's responsibility to give Schjelderup the necessary chances to develop. “If he never plays 90 minutes, he will never become a 90-minute player,” Solbakken said, implying that Mourinho's approach might be limiting Schjelderup's growth. Solbakken's comments come ahead of Schjelderup's international matches with Norway, including a World Cup qualifier against Israel on October 11.

When informed of Solbakken's comments before Benfica's crucial game against FC Porto, Mourinho chose to respond, saying, “I would appreciate it if national coaches stick to their own work when the players are back at the club. I don't understand how a national coach dares to comment on a player's relationship at a club.” Mourinho emphasized that most national coaches would be satisfied with his approach to balancing club and national team responsibilities.

Solbakken, selecionador da Noruega, sobre Schjelderup:

“Concordo com muito do que Mourinho diz. Mas também tem a ver com o facto de nunca jogar 90’. Portanto, é responsabilidade do treinador do clube dar-lhe 90 minutos. Se nunca jogar 90’, nunca se tornará um jogador de 90’”. pic.twitter.com/ulPMSgjwCN

— Vai Benfica 🦅 (@vaibenfica1904) October 3, 2025

 

The exchange highlights the underlying tensions between club and national team coaches regarding player development and deployment. While Mourinho prioritizes Schjelderup's role within Benfica's system, Solbakken advocates for giving the player more opportunities to grow. This debate underscores the complexities of player development and the differing perspectives of coaches.

“The situation is simple, and I just think we have to look at it with ethics, then we will all agree. Most national coaches will be satisfied with the way I see the situation between club and national team players.”

“When Benfica's players leave for the national team, I will not comment on that. The national coach is superb, and I hope everything goes well and they don't come back with injuries.”

“However, I would appreciate it if national coaches stick to their own work when the players are back at the club. I don't understand how a national coach dares to comment on a player's relationship at a club.”

“I am available to any national coach who wants to contact me, but I want to have respect when the player is part of the club and is not with the national team,” says Mourinho, according to A Bola.

Andreas Schjelderup has been named in the Norwegian national team squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifying matches. However, the next match against Israel is scheduled for October 14 or 15, not next Saturday, October 12. Schjelderup's inclusion in the squad is notable, given his recent form at Benfica, where he's scored four goals and provided seven assists in 37 appearances this season. Norway currently tops Group I in the European qualifiers, and Schjelderup's skills will be crucial in their bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.