One of handball's most iconic names is set for a new challenge. Magnus Andersson, the 60-year-old Swedish handball legend, has been appointed as the new head coach of the Norway men's national team, the Norwegian Handball Federation confirmed on Wednesday. He will be joined by Henrik Kronborg as assistant coach, with both set to officially begin their roles on 1 August 2026 under a contract running until 31 July 2030.

Andersson succeeds Jonas Wille, who took charge of Norway men’s team in the summer of 2022 following Christian Berge's departure. After a disappointing ninth-place finish at the 2026 European Championship, the Norwegian Handball Federation announced it would not extend Wille's contract beyond July 2026.

As a player, Andersson was one of the most creative and intelligent playmakers of his generation, earning 310 international caps for Sweden and scoring 919 goals over a remarkable career that spanned from 1988 to 2003. During that time, he was a central figure in the legendary "Bengan Boys" era, winning two World Championship gold medals in 1990 and 1999, plus two silver medals and two bronze medals, four European Championship gold medals and three Olympic silver medals.

As a coach, he has continued to demonstrate his ability to build winning cultures at the highest level. After stints with HK Drott, FCK Håndbold and the Austrian men's national team, Andersson guided German side FRISCH AUF! Göppingen to back-to-back EHF Cup titles in 2016 and 2017. He then moved to Portugal, where he turned FC Porto into a dominant domestic force, winning four Portuguese Championship titles and two Portuguese Cups between 2019 and 2023. He arrives in Norway directly from the Porto head coach role.

"I am very proud, and very happy," said the newly appointed head coach for the official website of the Norwegian Handball Federation. "Good handball is about winning matches. That is what it is all about, ultimately. But there are many of us, including myself, who love to play attractive, creative handball. At the same time, if you do not have good defence and goalkeeping, and counterattacking, it does not matter how creative you are offensively."
Andersson also reflected on the influences that shaped him as a coach, pointing in particular to his long-time mentor Bengt Johansson.

"I love the creative handball, which many may remember me for. I have also had an incredible number of talented managers. One of those who has meant a lot was Bengt Johansson, under whom I played for 15 years with the national team. His manner has probably influenced my approach as a manager. When someone makes a big impression, it is natural that you allow yourself to be influenced. The goal is for Norway to win handball matches - that is what I am hired for - but at the same time I love working with people, and seeing how they can be developed."

Andersson will be supported by Henrik Kronborg, who joins from Aalborg and brings with him an extraordinary record of success. Kronborg has been a key part of Nikolaj Jacobsen's Denmark coaching staff for the past decade, contributing to one of the most successful periods in the history of men's handball. Over the past ten years, the Danish national team has secured eight championship medals, seven of which are gold, including four consecutive World Championship titles.

"It will be very nice to work with Henrik. He has unparalleled experience through his years in Danish handball, where he has won gold after gold with the national team. In addition, he will be in Aalborg on a daily basis, where several of our players are based. It will be fun to get started on this with him,” said Andersson.

The Norwegian Handball Federation president Randi Gustad expressed her strong belief in the new appointment: "I strongly believe that this coaching team is absolutely right for Norwegian men's handball in the future. This is an incredibly strong signing for us. Magnus Andersson is a former world-class player who has helped shape performance cultures at the highest level, both as a player and coach, in several countries and top European clubs. He and Henrik Kronborg, who has been central to the development of what many consider to be the most superb men's national team of all time, form a very exciting and competent duo."

The new coaching duo will have their first meeting with the squad during the European Championship qualifiers in November, with matches against Georgia and Turkiye before the team heads to the 2027 IHF Men’s World Championship in January.

Norway are currently in Pot 2 before the draw in Munich, on 10 June, after eliminating Turkiye in the Qualification Europe – Phase 3, with a 80:60 aggregate win. Since winning two silver medals in the World Championship in 2017 and 2019, Norway finished sixth in 2021 and 2023 and 10th in 2025.

Photo credit: NHF