Norway head coach Stale Solbakken has held face-to-face talks with Enzo Maresca at the City Football Academy to discuss the management of Erling Haaland’s workload.
Erling Haaland has made a strong start to life under new Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca.More Videos
The world-renowned striker has been in typically sensational form to start the season, bagging six goals from six games in all competitions and scoring the winners in 1-0 victories against Coventry City and Manchester United.
Haaland’s importance to both Manchester City and Norway is beyond question, and with a relentless schedule on the horizon for club and country alike, keeping the prolific forward fit and firing is very much a shared priority.
With that in mind, Solbakken made the trip to Manchester to establish a working relationship with the man who succeeded Pep Guardiola in the Etihad dugout.
The Norway boss watched a Manchester City training session before sitting down for a private meeting with Maresca - their first face-to-face encounter since the Italian took charge. The timing was no accident, with the meeting falling ahead of the upcoming international break as Solbakken prepares his squad for a demanding run of fixtures.
Solbakken and Maresca Hold Haaland talks
Reflecting on the summit, Solbakken revealed the pair spent around 20 minutes together and left with a clear understanding of one another, describing the meeting as a crucial step in building trust early in Maresca’s reign.
“It was very important,” Solbakken told VG. “We had a very good conversation. We got to know each other a bit. We have had a very good relationship with Guardiola and City during my time as national team coach.
“It is important with regard to Erling. I got to present myself, we exchanged phone numbers – and we had the first conversation around the fact that Erling is an important man for both. I think it is important that we have met each other to have good communication.”
No Request to Rest Haaland
Crucially for Manchester City supporters, Solbakken was clear that the conversation was about open communication rather than any demand from either side, and insisted that City have never sought to have Haaland wrapped in cotton wool on international duty.
“Erling is important and we shall be open and honest with each other,” he added. “We have never received any hints from Manchester City to save Erling in international matches.
"The most important thing for me is that we continue to be open with each other. If there are opportunities here and there, then we give him a break when he has played extremely many games.”
While Solbakken does not see an immediate need to rest the striker, he acknowledged the situation will require careful monitoring as the winter months approach and the fixture list intensifies further.
Norway will soon turn their attention to a demanding Nations League group stage campaign - beginning with home fixtures against Denmark and Portugal before back-to-back meetings on the road - and Haaland’s minutes will be monitored closely on both sides.
City's first two games back after the international break include a Premier League trip to Anfield and playing host to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League, so it is vital that Haaland returns to Manchester fully fit and ready to resume his incredible form.
At least for now, both club and country appear firmly aligned in their determination to keep their prized asset at his devastating best.