Brede Hangeland
Past
Who was your favourite player when you were a child?
Franco Baresi
What was the first trophy you ever won?
A regional cup in Norway, when I was about 11.
Who was the first manager you played under as a professional?
Benny Lenartsson, at Viking. He was a Swedish manager who also worked in England for a few years.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Just to work hard every day, simple.
If you could travel back in time to any period, where would you go and what would you do?
Actually I quite like the present, so I think I’ll stay here!
Present
What music are you listening to in your car at the moment?
I listen to any kind of music, but mainly rock and pop.
What was the last book you read?
I read quite a lot, but the last was a Norwegian book, so you wouldn’t know it! The last English language book I read was Underworld by Don DeLillo.
Which player likes to try the most tricks in training? Do they work?
I have to say Clint Dempsey, and they work most of the time.
If you could be a journalist for the day, who would you interview and what would you talk about?
I think I’d interview Barack Obama about what’s going on in America at the moment.
What is your favourite sport besides football?
Skiing, being Norwegian! I did a bit of alpine and cross country skiing when I was younger, but obviously I can’t do that anymore.
Future
Are there any players that you have played with or play with now that you could see becoming good coaches/managers?
That’s a difficult question, but I’ll say Leon Andreasen, though he might disagree! He definitely knows how he wants things to look in the team and that’s a good quality for a coach.
Give one holiday destination that you have not yet been to but would like to get to in the future?
The Maldives look nice.
Who do you think will be Premier League champions?
I think Manchester United.
What is your ultimate ambition?
To have a good life and, when I’m old, look back and be happy with the decisions I made.
If Hollywood were to make a movie of your life, who would you want to play you, and who would your leading lady be?
There aren’t many actors that look like me! I like John Travolta, even though he doesn’t look like me. And Halle Berry.
