Viking Stavanger's Dynamic Duo Ready for Bayern Showdown: 'We Aim to be the Best'
Viking Stavanger is gearing up for an exhilarating Champions League clash with Bayern Munich on Tuesday, and the excitement is palpable among the team’s coaching staff. Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim and Morten Jensen have taken the club from a lackluster phase to standing shoulder to shoulder with Europe’s best.
"When we recruit players, we go big with our ambitions," Jensen shared over lunch after a morning training session at Lyse Arena. "We tell them: ‘If you join Viking, you’re going to work with the best coaches of your career.’"
Their journey together began over a decade ago, but it took a leap of faith to truly ignite their partnership. Appointed as joint head coaches in November 2020, Aarsheim and Jensen are now on the verge of their first home Champions League match, a moment that reflects years of hard work and shared dreams.
"I remember a phone call from around 2012 or 2013," Aarsheim recalled, reminiscing about their early days. "We were both in different jobs, but we had the same vision: to coach a team together someday."
The duo might seem an unlikely pairing at first glance. Aarsheim, a club legend with nearly 300 appearances for Viking, has a rich history as a midfielder and captain. In contrast, Jensen’s playing career was cut short by injuries, but he found his calling in coaching, leading lower division teams before joining Viking.
"Bjarte is calm and analytical, always searching for solutions," Jensen explained. "He’s the type who knows when to step up and be assertive, but he’s not stubborn about it."
Aarsheim, in turn, praised Jensen’s ambitious mindset. "What stands out about Morten is his big-picture thinking and willingness to voice it. While I focus on building a strong team, he’s already talking about winning the league and the Champions League. It creates a culture of aspiration among our players."
Under their guidance, Viking has blossomed into a competitive side. "We’ve shown players, both young and experienced, that we believe in their potential," Jensen articulated.
Their paths initially crossed as assistants to the previous head coach, Bjarne Berntsen. When it came time to seek his replacement, they saw a chance to unite their visions. "We suggested: ‘What if we teamed up for this? Would you be interested?’" Jensen recounted.
Eirik Bjørnø, then newly appointed CEO of Viking, was taken aback during their interview but impressed by their thorough preparation. "They walked in with a 120-page plan on their vision for the team, complete with a slide show that featured sheep and wolves as a metaphor for competition. It was striking!"
Bjørnø's enthusiasm was matched by sporting director Erik Nevland, a former player who recognized the need for a bold change. "It was a gamble, but we were in a position to take that risk," Nevland noted.
The unconventional coaching duo has since become a talking point in football circles. “When I chat with other sporting directors, they mention us as ‘the club with two head coaches,’” Nevland said. “It’s a unique approach, and if it’s working, why change it?”
The results have been nothing short of spectacular. Last year, Viking claimed the Eliteserien title, dethroning the formidable Bodø/Glimt. It was a remarkable turnaround for a club that last tasted championship glory in 1991 and had faced relegation just a few years earlier.
Reflecting on their early days, Jensen noted, "We learned valuable lessons in our first two years, and finishing 11th in 2022 sharpened our focus on developing local talent."
Bjørnø emphasized the importance of camaraderie within the team. "We’ve built something special based on mutual care and friendship, which strengthens our bond. Success is sweeter when you truly enjoy the journey together."
Nevland added that this local connection adds depth to their decisions. "Everything we do feels more significant because it impacts our community directly. Knowing that our choices affect our neighbors makes us more thoughtful and committed."
