Ståle Solbakken extends FCK contract

Ståle Solbakken has extended his contract at FC Copenhagen until the summer of 2018.

Ståle is the Alka Superliga’s most successful manager, having won five titles as a head coach before ending his first spell in charge of the club in 2011, only to return two years later.

FCK director Anders Hørsholt said:

- He has FC Copenhagen in his DNA and we are confident that Ståle is the right person to lead the team forward to new major sporting experiences and results.

- We know that he understands the club's identity and he has previously built something big at Copenhagen.

- He is in the process of doing that again and now the necessary progress is assured.

Ståle departed Telia Parken in 2011 after steering the Lions to a record-breaking Danish championship and the last-16 round of the UEFA Champions League.

He re-joined in August 2013 after stints at FC Colone and Wolverhampton Wanderers and revealed his determination to continue the proud tradition of FCK.

- I have a shared history with FC Copenhagen, which is a part of me, just like I am part of the history of the club, he said.

- I am pleased with what I, along with our highly skilled staff and squad, have created over the past few years and I want to write new chapters in the story.

As a player Ståle won the 2000/01 Superliga with FCK and was twice awarded Manager of the Year when head coach in his first stint at the club.

Since his return his job title has changed from head coach to manager and he now has overall control of the sporting side of FC Copenhagen.

And Ståle revealed he is looking forward to taking the club to even greater heights.

- We have achieved much already in the way back to the top and I'm sure that we will only get stronger going forward, he said.

- I am dedicated to FC Copenhagen and the people I work with every day.

- Together we have laid the foundations, so I look forward to a very exciting future with plenty of great sporting experiences for everyone in and around the club.

Ståle Solbakken

Age: 47

Clubs played for: Grue Il, Ham Kam, Lillestrøm, Wimbledon, AaB og FC Copenhagen.

Clubs coached: Ham-Kam, FC Copenhagen, FC Cologne, Wolverhampton and FC Copenhagen.

Coaching honours: Danish championship in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011. DBU Cup in 2009.

Europe: Led FC Copenhagen in the UEFA Champions League group stage in 2006, 2010 and 2013.