Magnus Norman enjoyed a hugely successful playing career, but his transition into coaching has seen him reach even greater heights.
A sole Grand Slam final and a career-high ranking of world number two represented the best that this Swedish star had to offer before he retired, and since then he has enjoyed spells overseeing the development of Thomas Johansson, Robin Soderling, and most famously Stan Wawrinka.
And now, it has been revealed that Norman is expected to join Jannik Sinner’s team for the 2027 season, with Darren Cahill planning to step down from his massively successful post and retire.
This will mark a huge shake-up for the current world number one, who has been with the Australian coach for four years.
Fortunately, the man he is set to hire thinks very highly of him as a player, and effectively said so when speaking in 2024.
Magnus Norman’s glowing praise for Jannik Sinner back in 2024 as he becomes his coach
Chatting with the Tennis Channel podcast some two years ago, Norman was discussing his preparation with Wawrinka for the upcoming event in Beijing.
The Swiss superstar would suffer a first-round exit, but that was irrelevant compared to what the coach was saying about Jannik Sinner, whom they had practised with in the run-up to this event.
Jannik Sinner is set to hire Magnus Norman as his next coach – is this the right move? 🤔
Who would you have hired to be Sinner’s next coach?
Using the Italian as an example of all that was special about the modern-day players, Norman admitted: “You know, the pace that these top players are playing with now, it’s just incredible how they cover the court.
“I’m in Beijing right now and still coaching Stan. We were hitting with Sinner yesterday, and it’s just incredible how he moves, how he covers the court.
“I mean, at one point during the practice, we were looking at each other, me and Stan, and sort of a little bit laughing. It’s just that Stan was doing a great practice, you know, and he couldn’t win a point.
“It’s just incredible at some point how the players are moving.”
Now, Norman will get the chance to build on this exceptional movement and power.
Magnus Norman’s full coaching career to date
He will bring a wealth of experience into Sinner’s camp, having spent a year with Johansson, two years with Soderling, and countless years with Wawrinka.
Alongside his compatriot, Norman helped guide Soderling to two Grand Slam finals, a career-high ranking of fourth in the world, and to the Paris Masters title in 2010.
They parted ways as this respected coach wanted more time with his family, and whilst Soderling continued his fine form, injuries and mononucleosis sadly ended his career early.
Having enjoyed a three-year break from full-time coaching, the 50-year-old waded back in with Wawrinka.
Across three different spells with the retiring legend, he helped him win all three of his Grand Slam titles, beat all of the Big Three, reach a career-high ranking of third and win the Monte Carlo Masters.
As a reward for his hard work, Norman won the inaugural ATP Coach of the Year award in 2016.
