Norwegian side Viking FK have become a prominent example of the growing trend of dual head coaches in European football. Morten Jensen and Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim, appointed together in 2020, guided the club to its first Norwegian league title in 34 years and a 3-3 draw against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League this season. The pair proposed the joint role themselves after the previous coach departed, and CEO Eirik Bjorno recalled that the club agreed to the arrangement, which has proven successful.
Lyngby and Lincoln City Follow Suit
In Denmark, Lyngby installed a dual head coach setup in December 2025 after manager Morten Karlsen was dismissed. Andreas Bjelland, already an assistant at the club, and Mikkel Jespersen, recently released from Mainz, formed the partnership after a series of meetings to ensure compatibility. Their leadership secured promotion back to the Danish Superliga, with USMNT international Neil Pierre part of the promotion-winning squad and Barcelona loanee Diego Kochen as starting goalkeeper. Lincoln City in the English Championship have also adopted a dual head coach model in the past year.
Balancing the Roles
Both coaching duos emphasize structured division of responsibilities and constant communication. At Viking, Jensen and Aarsheim discuss disagreements openly with their staff until consensus is reached, with Jensen noting they agree on team selection 99% of the time. Aarsheim added he can sense his partner's conviction instantly. At Lyngby, Bjelland and Jespersen allocate specific tactical areas — Bjelland handles on-ball work, Jespersen off-ball — and meet daily to align their messages to players.
The co-head coach model provides a built-in sounding board, which the coaches say eases decision-making, especially for first-time head coaches. As the approach gains traction at clubs competing in major competitions, it may signal a broader shift in football management.
Viking's next Champions League fixture is against Sabah FK on Wednesday, November 4 at 3 p.m. ET at Lyse Arena in Stavanger, Norway, streamed on Paramount+. Odds list Viking as favorites at -240, with a draw at +420 and Sabah at +550.
