Iraq fires Norwegian coach Olsen

 Olsen had as of late Sunday not been in touch with the Iraq Football Assocation but was quoted as telling Oslo daily Dagbladet that he wanted four months wages in severance payment, worth some 1 million kroner (188,000 dollars).

 The Norwegian national took over the helm of Iraq in September, and was reportedly fired after refusing to train with the team in Iraq and failing to have secured sponsorship contracts from Norway.

  Olsen became a national hero after helping Norway secure a berth in the 1994 World Cup during his tenure as head of the Norwegian national team 1990 to 1998.

 After leaving the position as national coach Olsen, 65, was manager of Norwegian side Valerenga and also had a brief stint as manager for Wimbledon in the English Premier League.

DPA