Bob Bradley tries to downplay Norway speculation

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Jan 4, 2017

Bob Bradley was back in Norway on Wednesday, meeting with the Norwegian federation's soccer chief, Nils Johan Semb, sparking speculation in the Norwegian press that he'd be offered the job as the new men's national team coach to replace Per-Mathias Hogmo, who resigned in November.

Bradley, who coached at Stabaek for two seasons, said he didn't discuss the job specifically and was in Oslo to catch up with friends.

Fired a week ago as Swansea City manager, he described his meeting with Semb as a "football discussion about many things."

"We didn't speak specifically about the job," Bradley told TV2 Wednesday night. "We spoke a lot about what's going on with Norway, in a bigger discussion."

Was he interested in the job?

"I would be honored if there was a further discussion," he said. "For me, it is important time to just reflect on all the different experiences and challenges I've had in football and think about maybe about what is next."

Bradley remains highly regarded in Norway, where he took tiny Stabaek and turned it into a Europa League team only two years after it gained promotion. Stabaek sports director Inge Andre Olsen promoted Bradley's candidacy, saying he was the best coach Norway could get.

Norway has only three points -- thanks to a 4-1 win over San Marino -- in four games in World Cup 2018 qualifying, so it is not exactly a plum position.

VG reported that Stale Solbakken was Norway's first choice to replace Hogmo, who resigned in November, but it is unclear if the FC Copenhagen coach is interested in the job.