"Everyone wants football to grow"

Ahead of their participation at the Island Games, Greenland's head coach discusses the team's pursuit of more football

- By Henry Flynn

MORTEN RUTKJAER

"Where does your drive to help raise Greenland’s football profile come from?

It started in 2020. At that time, I was a coach in Denmark. The advisory boards and the national director from Greenland called me and asked if I wanted to be the national team manager. And in four minutes, we made a deal. I had been to Greenland before. Each time I was there, I thought there were many possibilities to boost football in Greenland. So, when he told me Greenland wanted to develop a national team and become part of the world football family, I said yes. For me, it’s a big thing to be the national coach of Greenland because the people are so fantastic, and everyone wants to improve Greenlandic football.

What is it like trying to gain credibility as a competitive international team?

These last two years, I have tried to find some opponents who will meet Greenland. I’ve talked with many countries who say they want to help. But FIFA and CONCACAF say it’s not so good because Greenland is not a member. Hopefully, we will gain a membership somewhere. In 2021, we met FC Nordsjaelland in the Right to Dream project and we lost 3-1. It was the biggest game ever for Greenlandic football to meet a Danish Superliga team. Last year we met Kosovo’s Under-21 team with some national players playing, and we only lost1-0. So, I try to get the national team out against high-quality opponents, so we can be ready as soon as we get a partnership somewhere. I try, but it’s tough.