Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim and Morten Jensen chase “best in the world”

Viking Stavanger take on Bayern Munich this Tuesday in their first home Champions League match, guided by Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim and Morten Jensen, the club’s joint head coaches appointed in November 2020, as The Guardian reports.

After a training session at Lyse Arena, Jensen explained the message they push when recruiting: “If you come to Viking and play for us, we’re going to be the best coaches you ever had.” The pair say their work has turned Stavanger’s team from “mediocrity” into a surprising presence among Europe’s top sides.

A rare coaching duo

The story goes back to conversations between the coaches around 2012 or 2013. The leap came when Bjarne Berntsen left and both Aarsheim and Jensen were set to interview for the role. CEO Eirik Bjørnø recalls the pitch included a 120-page dossier and even a special slide with “sheep” and “wolves” to frame Viking’s rivals and their plan to overpower them, with sporting director Erik Nevland backing the idea.

From league title to Europe

Their efforts delivered last season’s Eliteserien title, beating the previously dominant Bodø/Glimt. After finishing 11th in 2022, Jensen said they sharpened their focus on developing local players, feeding the same ambition that now lands them in front of Bayern at home.