Oslo - The Norwegian Football Association has extended coach Egil "Drillo" Olsen's current contract through the ongoing World Cup qualifications, reports said Tuesday.

Olsen led Norway to the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, and was praised after Norway upset Germany 1-0 in a recent friendly. The victory ended a year-long winless drought.

The 66-year-old was called in as caretaker after Age Hareide left, but has succeeded in generating a new spirit in the Norwegian team although Norway lost a recent friendly away to South Africa.

"We think that we have seen enough to say that Egil Olsen should be coach through the World Cup qualifications," Karen Espelund, secretary general of the Norwegian Football Association, told public broadcaster NRK.

Olsen and Norway take on Finland in a friendly on Wednesday.

The coach himself said it was great to have finalized the matter. "Now we don't have to work on it over Easter," he said.

Olsen was reported to be offered a bonus should Norway secure a place in the world Cup finals in South Africa. (dpa)