Denmark’s ambassador Jens Frijs-Madsen had invited to pay tribute to Hareide in his residence, and it was a very moved Hareide who was awarded the high-hanging order. Queen Margrethe’s master of ceremonies was present and gave him the medal which is the visible proof.
– It was surprising and very special. I thought it was going to be a cozy party as an end to my time in Denmark, and then he came with it there. It was very special, Hareide told NTB.
Celebert company
The 66-year-old’s strong performance as national team manager was the theme when the Danish embassy paid tribute to Hareide at the residence at Blindern in Oslo. The newly hired Rosenborg coach was head of the Danish national team from 2016 to 2020. Only three of 42 matches ended in losses, and the last 34 matches he went undefeated.
The ambassador described the national team as Denmark’s pride, and Hareide as one of Denmark’s two best national team coaches of all time, alongside Richard Møller-Nielsen who led the team to the European Championship title in 1992.
Prominent politicians, athletes and actors were present at the reception – among others Oslo mayor Marianne Borgen, TV profile and former football player Jan Åge Fjørtoft and “A-ha” musician Magne Furuholmen. Hareide was clearly moved by the way he was treated.
Legendhyllest
– It’s a bit Danish what they do. They love to do great things. You see it when the national team players have a birthday, then it’s a big fuss and lots of fun. They are good for making fun and cuddles. And when things go well, they want to reinforce it, and that’s a nice feature. And also a quality that we could adopt in Norway, he said.
Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel was supposed to attend the reception, but did not succeed due to the corona situation. However, he had sent in a video greeting which was shown to those present.
– I just want to say thank you – really thank you, for what you have done for Danish football. It has been fantastic to follow the team during the years you were national team coach, said Schmeichel.
