Meet Viking FK: The Champions League club operating with two head coaches
Norwegian champions Viking FK head into their Champions League clash against VfB Stuttgart with a unique dual head coach model led by Morten Jensen and Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 / Author: Zafer
Norwegian champions Viking FK enter their Champions League tie against VfB Stuttgart with one of the most unusual setups in European football: two head coaches.
Since January 2021, Morten Jensen and Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim have shared equal charge of the team. Far from a temporary fix, this co-management philosophy sees both men hold equal power and make key tactical decisions together. The structure has transformed the club into a consistent force, culminating in their first Eliteserien title in 34 years in 2025.
The dual leadership has also brought success on the European stage, with the team securing a place in the Champions League main stage after a playoff victory against Dinamo Zagreb.
The achievement was overwhelming and everything we've ever dreamed of. Morten Jensen
While the coaches share matchday responsibilities and media duties, team captain Zlatko Tripic acts as the vital link on the pitch, executing their shared vision. With the club making its first main-stage appearance since 1992, the upcoming clash in Germany serves as the ultimate test for this distinctive coaching model.