It was a summer to forget for Norway.

The national team failed to advance from their group and the big headline was the biggest ever loss in EC history – 0-8 against England.

Norway's former national team captain Martin Sjögren had to leave his position shortly after the departure.

He extended the agreement with the Norwegian Football Association as recently as last year.

It was then decided that an evaluation would be made after this year's EC.

- We have been in complete agreement on that dialogue, me and Lise Klaveness (president of the association).

That there was not a continuation was quite natural, he tells SVT Sport.

After the 4-1 victory in the opener against Northern Ireland, luck turned for Norway.

- Then we came to the clash with England, where we couldn't have even dreamed that we would get that match and the big loss.

It in turn affects the entrance to the match against Austria and that is quite natural.

Heavy atmosphere in Norway

It sounds like the squad was depleted for Austria?

- Yes, completely understandable.

It was difficult then and there, after that effort, to find courage in everyone.

It's not just about the playing squad, it's about the management staff as well.

Everyone really tried and worked very hard on themselves to build up the faith.

How was the mood in the squad after the loss against England?

- Very disappointed.

There were probably many who felt that this was at a lower level than we could ever have believed.

- In retrospect, I suffer with the players who have been part of such humiliation as it was.

Sjögren on the unrealistic goals

Was it realistic to have a medal goal?

- No not really.

We had set ourselves a dream goal of winning a medal.

There was an extremely positive realism in it.

If we had hit everything right, we would have had the opportunity to win a medal.

But with the competition, it wasn't realistic.

There has been a lot of criticism against you.

How do you handle it as a person?

- I am also human, I am not a robot who is immune to what people think and think.

But that's part of it.

- You have to be a little like a goose and let it flow, but it is clear that a little will be marked by it a little.

What lies ahead in terms of work for you?

- I am motivated to take on a project, preferably on the club side.