When Erling Haaland’s youth coaches realized he was something special
When Erling Haaland’s youth coaches realized he was something special
When Erling Haaland s youth coaches – At the age of eight, Erling Haaland was just another aspiring soccer player in the small town of Bryne, Norway. Yet, his early training sessions with Espen Undheim, a former youth coach at Bryne FK, revealed a spark that would later define his career. Undheim recalls the moments when he first noticed the boy’s extraordinary hunger for goals, a trait that set him apart from his peers. Though Haaland was not yet the towering physical presence he is today, his relentless determination and instinctive approach to scoring hinted at a future in the spotlight.
A boy with a goal-oriented mindset
Undheim remembers Haaland as a “skinny” child who spent hours on the indoor pitch in Bryne, often playing with older boys and pushing himself beyond the limits of his age. “What set him apart was his relentless pursuit of scoring goals, even when the odds weren’t in his favor,” Undheim shared with CNN Sports. “He would move constantly, anticipating where the ball would go, and never let an opportunity slip away.” This drive was evident even in his simplest actions—celebrating every goal with exaggerated joy, sprinting across the field as if the entire stadium was watching. “When he scored, he was a whirlwind of energy,” Undheim said. “Even as a kid, I could see that he had an intuition for finding the net.”
“He was always looking to score, even if he wasn’t in a position where he could, he moved and tried to be in situations where he could score goals,” Undheim tells CNN Sports.
Despite his obvious talent, Haaland’s path to stardom was not preordained. In his early years, he played for local teams and spent countless hours honing his skills on the indoor pitch, which became his second home. “He was a typical town boy,” Undheim reflected, smiling. “He was funny. He was always answering very fast. Before matches and after matches, he liked to be funny.” The coach’s observations paint a picture of a child who balanced playful energy with an unshakable focus on the game. “When I hear interviews with him now, I can still say this is the boy I know from Byrne … he hasn’t changed,” Undheim noted.
From Bryne to the global stage
Haaland’s rise through the ranks was marked by his ability to adapt and improve. At Bryne FK, he was initially a left-footed striker, but his coach insisted he develop his right foot to become a more versatile player. “He had to work a lot on his right foot to become better,” Undheim explained. “But it was all about his mentality. If he didn’t get the ball, he was very angry at his teammates, and if he didn’t score goals in obvious situations, he was also very angry at himself.” This intensity, which Undheim calls “special,” became a hallmark of Haaland’s development. Even as a young player, his frustration and drive were palpable, foreshadowing the relentless nature of his professional career.
“He was a typical town boy,” Undheim says, smiling. “He was funny. He was always answering very fast. Before matches and after matches, he liked to be funny.”
By the time Haaland reached 15, his skills had matured enough to earn a spot on Bryne’s under-18 team. This marked the beginning of his journey to the national stage, as scouts from other Norwegian clubs began to take notice. In 2017, he joined Molde, one of the country’s most prominent teams, and quickly became a key player. His goal-scoring record was staggering—many of his teammates were stunned by the pace at which he amassed goals. “It was around this time that Haaland was also catching the attention of the national team,” Undheim said, highlighting the young striker’s growing reputation.
The pressure of fame and the strength of his mindset
Today, Haaland is a global icon, one of the best players in the world, and a pivotal figure in Norway’s return to the World Cup after 26 years. The 25-year-old helped his nation qualify for the tournament, a historic achievement that has rekindled international interest in Norwegian soccer. On the biggest stage, Haaland has already made his mark, scoring seven goals in the competition and tying with Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi for the Golden Boot lead. His performances have not only captivated fans but also drawn comparisons to some of the greatest players of all time.
“When I hear interviews with him now, I can still say this is the boy I know from Byrne … he hasn’t changed,” Undheim said.
However, the path to this success was not without challenges. Haaland’s early years were filled with the same struggles as any other local talent, yet his resilience stood out. “He didn’t have any extra pressure from his famous father, Alf-Inge Haaland, who also played for Manchester City,” Undheim clarified. “He played just for the enjoyment, not for the spotlight.” This attitude of simplicity and passion carried into his professional career, allowing him to maintain a balance between intensity and composure. Even in high-stakes moments, like the FA Cup final this season, Haaland’s competitive nature shone through—his frustration at a missed pass by a teammate was a reminder of the fire that drives him.
Shaping a future through environment and guidance
Haaland’s development was shaped by two major influences: his upbringing in Bryne and the wisdom of his father. Bryne, a proud agricultural community, instilled in him a sense of grit and determination, qualities that would serve him well in the competitive world of professional soccer. Meanwhile, Alf-Inge Haaland’s experience as a player provided Haaland with a unique perspective. “He had a solid foundation from his dad,” Undheim noted. “But it was the environment of Bryne that really helped him build that inner toughness.”
Undheim’s coaching philosophy emphasized discipline and hard work, traits that Haaland embraced wholeheartedly. “He was the kind of player who would give everything on the pitch,” the coach said. “His dedication to training three times a week, even after school, showed his commitment.” This combination of innate talent and hard work propelled Haaland to the Premier League, where he has already made history. In his four seasons with Manchester City, he has been the league’s top scorer on three occasions and holds the record for the fastest player to reach 100 goals in the division, achieving the milestone in just 111 league matches.
As Haaland continues to dominate at the highest level, his journey remains a testament to the power of early recognition and the impact of a supportive environment. From the indoor pitch of Bryne to the grand stages of the World Cup, his story is one of relentless ambition and unwavering focus. The key to his success lies not just in his physical abilities, but in the mindset forged in his youth—one that continues to drive him forward, even as he becomes a household name across the globe.
Undheim’s insights into Haaland’s early years underscore the importance of nurturing talent from the ground up. “He was always looking to improve, even when others thought he was already good enough,” the coach said. “That’s what made him special.” As Haaland prepares to face the world’s best in the upcoming World Cup, the echoes of his youth remain a vital part of his identity. Whether on the pitch or in the stands, the “skinny” boy from Bryne has grown into a force of nature, proving that greatness is often born from the smallest beginnings.
