Viking Football Club has undergone a significant transformation under the joint leadership of head coaches Morten Jensen and Bjarne Aarsheim, who have ushered in a new era of ambition and development at the Norwegian club. Their partnership, uncommon in top-tier football, has been characterized by a clear vision, an emphasis on player development, and a commitment to local identity.
Both coaches, who began as assistants under Viking’s previous manager Bjarne Berntsen, presented a united front when interviewed for the head coach position. Aarsheim, 51, and Jensen, slightly younger, combined their approaches to create a detailed plan for the team’s playing style and culture — including a 120-page dossier outlining their strategy. During their interview, they used a memorable metaphor featuring wolves and sheep to illustrate their competitive mindset, portraying Viking as the wolves set to challenge their rivals, the sheep.
The gamble paid off. Viking, a club with a storied history in Norway that included multiple titles in the 1970s but a 31-year championship drought, claimed the Eliteserien title last year by overcoming the dominant Bodø/Glimt. This success followed a period of struggle, including relegation in 2017 and an 11th-place finish in 2022. The coaching duo credits their turnaround to lessons learned in those early years and a strategic focus on nurturing local talent who understand the significance of representing Stavanger, a city rejuvenated by the offshore oil industry.
Key figures within the club, including Viking’s chief executive officer Eirik Bjørnø and sporting director Erik Nevland, highlight the cultural shift brought by the new leadership. Both Bjørnø and Nevland emphasize a collaborative, family-like atmosphere within the squad and staff, fostering mutual respect and camaraderie. Nevland points out that the local connection intensifies the meaning behind decisions affecting the club and its community.
On the training ground, Aarsheim primarily manages defensive tactics, while Jensen focuses on offensive play. Their coaching style is defined by calm, purposeful communication rather than harsh discipline, aiming to develop both the football intelligence and the personal growth of their players. They maintain a transparent process for team selections and strategic decisions, often engaging in open discussions with the coaching staff to reach consensus.
Captain Zlatko Tripic commends the coaches’ management approach, noting the respect and confidence they instill in the squad through shared responsibility and thoughtful dialogue. The coaches aim to instill a winning mindset in their players, encouraging them to dream beyond domestic success toward European ambitions.
Ahead of challenging matches, such as the upcoming derby against fierce rivals SK Brann and a subsequent fixture against Bayern Munich, Jensen and Aarsheim emphasize tactical preparation and mental readiness. Their sessions illustrate a balance of intensity and focus, reflecting the club’s ambition to assert itself both locally and on the continental stage.
For Viking, the current period represents not just competitive achievement but a cultural revival, reconnecting the club with its community and setting new standards for the future. As Jensen puts it, the goal is for Viking to see itself as more than a football club — aspiring to be Norway’s best and a team capable of making a mark on Europe’s biggest stages.