Oslo - Egil Olsen was named Wednesday as caretaker manager of the Norwegian national team until a longterm replacement is found for Age Hareide, who resigned in December after a string of poor results.

Olsen will remain at the helm until April and his first match in charge will be Norway's friendly international against Germany on February 11 in Dusseldorf. He will also be in place for the internationals against South Africa and Finland.

The 66 year-old was also Norway coach between 1990 and 1998 during which time the country qualified for two World Cups.

Hareide took over in 2003 but missed out on qualification for the 2006 World Cup in Germany as well as Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland.

He resigned after his team went eight matches without a win last year. Norway currently sit bottom of their 2010 World Cup qualifying group behind Iceland and Macedonia. (dpa)