Viking Coach: 'We've Known Each Other for 15 Years, Like We're Married'
Morten Jensen revealed how he shares coaching duties with his colleague, while captain Zlatko Tripić, born in Rijeka, said the match against Dinamo is a dream come true.
Morten Jensen revealed how he shares coaching duties with his colleague, while captain Zlatko Tripić, born in Rijeka, said the match against Dinamo is a dream come true.
Dinamo's footballers face a Maksimir evening against Norwegian side Viking in the Champions League play-off on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 9 PM. The return leg is scheduled for Wednesday, August 26, 2026, also at 9 PM, at the Viking Stadion in Stavanger. The Norwegian club is unique in that two coaches share the managerial duties equally, and one of them, Morten Jensen, revealed at a press conference ahead of the match how their relationship works.
Journalists asked Jensen how the division of labor with the other coach works. He replied with a smile: "Good question. Many people ask that, but we discuss together and find a solution. We've known each other for 15 years, like we're married and raising kids, ha, ha. Is a divorce on the horizon? No, we're still married."
Viking captain Zlatko Tripić, who sat next to the coach at the press conference, joked when asked how it is to work with two coaches. "Uh, it's a pain in the ass! No, I'm kidding, it's great. They're great friends, they have great respect, and we're used to it. We won the title with them, and I'm glad to see how they worked together and won the championship. They're a big inspiration; football can be viewed differently, and it doesn't have to be the same," said Tripić.
At the start of his statement, Tripić emphasized his Croatian roots: "I was born in Rijeka, my parents are from Bosnia, and I grew up in Norway and have been there all my life." He then conveyed how much the match against Dinamo means to him: "I said that my goal was to play a European match in these parts, and Dinamo is one of the best here. This is a dream, a beautiful opportunity, and I'm glad to be back in Croatia. When we came here, of course we want to win and play a good match. We're playing against a top team, and we'll try everything to advance."
Journalists also asked him which of the two coaches he prefers. Tripić answered in Croatian: "The other one," winking at Jensen, who was sitting next to him. The Norwegians didn't understand why half the room burst into laughter.
Dinamo announced via its official Twitter account that away fans will be seated in Sector F of the Viking Stadion for the return leg, with tickets priced at 249 Norwegian kroner, approximately €22. When purchasing, it is mandatory to select Sector F and enter the code zagreb260826, and the club warns that strict personal data checks will be conducted at the entrance.
For the first match in Zagreb, as previously announced, only seats in the North stand remain. Ticket prices are €12 for members and €17 for other fans. Additionally, Dinamo and its fan group BBB celebrate 40 years of existence, and former player and club legend Zvone Boban sent a congratulatory message: "Happy Birthday Purgeri! Happy Birthday BBB group! Dinamo Zagreb above all, Dinamo Zagreb above everyone!"
