Hansen leaves Norway U21s for Rosenborg

Norway are on the lookout for a new coach to lead them into the UEFA European Under-21 Championship after Per Joar Hansen agreed to take charge of Trondheim side Rosenborg BK.

The 47-year-old has signed a contract until the end of the 2015 season and replaces Jan Jönsson, who was relieved of his duties after Rosenborg's final UEFA Europa League group stage game. "I felt that the board and the technical department really wanted me," explained Hansen. "Rosenborg are Norway's biggest club, have high ambitions and this is the biggest coaching job in Norway. It was too tempting."

Hansen was Rosenborg's assistant coach in 2004 and senior coach for eight months the following year, but said: "I feel up to the challenge this time." Erik Hoftun, the club's sporting director added: "We have decided to go back to Rosenborg's roots, and Hansen was the best man for the job. Rosenborg will play attractive football with a 4-3-3 formation and we hope and believe this will bring us success."

Once a Rosenborg player, Hansen took the Norway U21 helm in 2011, guiding them to only their second U21 finals, with his team pooled with Italy, England and hosts Israel in Group A at next summer's championship.