Hamrén coached Norwegian team Rosenborg BK to league championship in his first full season with the club.

Following heavy speculation in Swedish and Norwegian media, it was confirmed on 4 November 2009 that Hamrén would assume part-time responsibility of the Sweden national football team while also managing Rosenborg.

[1][2] After heavy discussions with RBK (Erik Hoftun, Terje Svendsen, Nils Skutle, Lars Aune), Hamren eventually was confirmed as manager for the Sweden national team.

On 8 August 2018, Hamrén was named as manager of the Iceland national football team, where he succeeded Heimir Hallgrímsson.

[8] Erik Hamrén was raised primarily in Ljusdal as the son of Pelle, a train dispatcher, and his wife Kerstin.