Henning Berg On Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers And A Career In Management

An interview with Henning Berg, by Callum McFadden for WFi.

You began your career in your home country with Vålerenga, the club that gave you your big break in football. What are some of your memories from your time there?

“It was an exciting time. Vålerenga was the first professional club I joined, and I signed with them when I was 18.

“Before that, I had been playing in Norway’s 4th division with my youth club, so moving to Vålerenga was definitely a big step up. However, I had been training with them for about six months prior to making the transition, which helped a lot.

“I was able to train with the team while still playing matches in the 4th division when I was 17, so that made the adjustment smoother and allowed me to get closer to the level required.

“Once I officially joined, I had to compete for a spot on the team. Eventually, I earned my place and played there for three and a half years, which was a really valuable experience for me.”

You also played for Lillestrøm in Norway before attracting the attention of Blackburn Rovers. What was your initial reaction when Blackburn Rovers made their move for you?

“I was really excited because Kenny Dalglish was the manager at the time, and of course, everyone knew about Kenny from his legendary days at Liverpool. That made it especially thrilling.

“I was also playing for the Norwegian national team at the time, and we had just faced England at Wembley. Competing against some of the best players in England—Gascoigne, David Platt, and others—was a fantastic experience. I believe we drew 1-1 in that game, and it was during that match that Blackburn started scouting me.

“Shortly after, they invited me for a training period so they could assess me further. It was definitely an exciting moment in my career.”

At Blackburn, you played during the club’s most successful time, winning the Premier League title under Kenny Dalglish in 1995. You were a regular in that team. What was Kenny like as a manager, and what was it like to play for the club in such an exciting period?

“It was quite special because Jack Walker, having achieved great success in the steel industry, wanted to give something back to his hometown of Blackburn.

“Bringing in Kenny Dalglish as manager, along with the ability to sign top players like Alan Shearer, Chris Sutton, and Tim Flowers, was a testament to his ambition. At the same time, they also added more regular players like us to the mix, creating a well-rounded squad.

“The group of players was fantastic. Many of us were at the start of our careers, and for most, winning the league was the first major trophy we had ever experienced. It was an incredible time.

“Dalglish had a wealth of football knowledge, and we learned so much from him. He also had excellent coaches alongside him, like Ray Harford and Tony Parks, who made training both enjoyable and challenging.

“Dalglish struck the perfect balance between building a winning team and maintaining a light-hearted, relaxed atmosphere.

“It was a hardworking yet fun environment, and for me, moving to England and being part of that team was an amazing experience.”

A lot of people talk about Sutton and Shearer, but yourself, Colin Hendry, Graeme Le Saux, Tony Gale—there was a lot of experience within that defence. How crucial was that to the title success, as well as those attacking players?

“Tim Flowers coming in as goalkeeper, for what was then a record transfer fee of £2 million, was a huge boost for the team. His presence made a big difference.

“Colin Hendry, with his vast experience after coming from Manchester City, was a dominant force in central defence, which was also invaluable.

“Graeme Le Saux and I were both young, while Tony Gale brought a wealth of experience, which helped to create a well-rounded backline. Ian Pearce, another young talent, also rotated in and contributed.

“There was a strong balance in the squad overall. Players like Tim Sherwood, who was relatively young but played with the maturity of someone much older, added to that blend.

“The mix of youth, experience, and quality throughout the team was one of the key reasons for our success.”

The way that you clinched the title was interesting, given that Kenny Dalglish is a Liverpool legend, and you found out that you’d won the title at Anfield. What was that experience like?

“It was both strange and special. We had led the league for such a long time, from November onward, and at one point, our lead was quite substantial. But as the season progressed, United kept closing the gap. It all came down to the final day—if we lost and United won, they would take the title.

“We were up against Liverpool, and there were rumours that Liverpool might go easy on us because of Dalglish, their former manager, as they supposedly preferred him winning the title over United.

“Fortunately for us, United didn’t win, even though Liverpool beat us, so there could be no talk of anyone gifting us the title.

“It was a special day not only for Dalglish but for everyone at Blackburn, as we secured the league for the first time since 1912.

“For a small town like Blackburn to compete and win at that level was incredible. We had finished second the year before, so it felt like everything had been building up to that moment. To finally achieve it was really, really special.”

Kenny left Blackburn after winning the Premier League title. Was that a shock for the team?

“It wasn’t exactly a shock, but more of a disappointment. Given all of Dalglish’s experiences, particularly the emotional toll of events like Hillsborough, I believe managing had taken a lot out of him.

“Winning the league with Blackburn seemed to be his way of signalling that he had accomplished what he set out to do and needed a break.

“Even if Dalglish had stayed, I think we would have faced challenges the following season. We didn’t bring in the same calibre of players as before, opting for squad players rather than top-quality signings.

“In contrast, United, under Sir Alex Ferguson, always knew the importance of continually adding top-tier talent.

“Ray Harford, an excellent coach, took over, but it was an incredibly tough situation for anyone. After winning the league, whoever succeeded Dalglish would have found it difficult to maintain that level of success.”

Looking ahead to your next chapter after Blackburn Rovers, you made the significant move to Manchester United under the management of Sir Alex Ferguson. How would you describe your experience at United, and how did it differ from your time at Blackburn?

“It was, of course, a much larger club with significantly higher expectations. Playing for Manchester United means you are recognised all over the world. The quality of the players was superior, and the competition for places in the team was intense.

“This was the first time in my career that I wasn’t a regular starter; I had to fight for my position and experienced periods of not playing as much. That was a new challenge for me.

“However, playing alongside such talented players and under a fantastic manager was incredibly rewarding. It allowed us to compete for the biggest trophies, both in the Premier League and in Europe.

“During my three years there, we consistently played in the Champions League and reached the quarter-finals each season. Overall, there were many positive experiences.”

You were at the club as they won the treble in 1999 against Bayern Munich. You played an important part in that team. What are your memories of that season?

“Yes, I believe it was a truly special time, and everyone involved felt the same way. It was a remarkable experience. The previous year hadn’t gone as well; we lost the league to Arsenal, which was a significant disappointment for all of us. However, with the arrivals of Jaap Stam and Dwight Yorke, along with a few other players, we added more competition to the squad. It took some time for us to gel and reach the level necessary to compete effectively.

“By late December and early January, we hit our stride, coinciding with my best period on the team. I played nearly every match until I suffered an injury in the semi-final against Juventus.

“That was my most fulfilling time at United; I was involved in the games more than ever before, and the team continued to win, culminating in the treble achieved in one of the most dramatic ways imaginable.

“There were numerous extra-time goals and incredible comebacks throughout the season—against Liverpool in the FA Cup and against Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final, where we played with ten men.

“Winning the Champions League final was, of course, a highlight, but also the memorable moment when we were 1-0 down to Tottenham on the final day of the season and managed to turn it around to win 2-1, securing the league title.

“It was an unbelievable emotional rollercoaster throughout. We had a strong squad, and everyone contributed effectively. It was truly a fantastic time.”

In 2000, you made a return to Blackburn during a challenging period for the club. They were striving to secure promotion back to the Premier League, which you successfully achieved. Additionally, this time under another Liverpool legend, – Graeme Souness – you clinched the League Cup against Tottenham in Cardiff. How significant was that victory for you personally and for the club?

“I left Manchester United primarily because I wasn’t getting the playing time I desired. When the opportunity to return to Blackburn arose, I jumped at it. At that time, they were in the Championship, but my goal was to help the team regain its place in the Premier League.

“Under the management of Graeme Souness, we had a strong squad featuring players like Brad Friedel, Matt Jansen, David Dunn, Garry Flitcroft, Craig Short, and Lucas Neill. Achieving promotion with Blackburn was a significant accomplishment, and winning the League Cup against Tottenham in Cardiff was an unforgettable experience.

“I feel incredibly fortunate to have spent a total of seven and a half years at Blackburn, during which I won the Premier League, helped secure promotion back to the Premier League, and lifted the League Cup. It was truly a remarkable journey.”

You had a distinguished international career, representing Norway in the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, as well as Euro 2000, and achieving the remarkable milestone of 100 caps. What are your reflections on your time with the national team, particularly during what many consider a golden era for Norwegian football?

“Absolutely. Our generation of young players progressed together, having played alongside one another in the under-21s before making our way into the senior national team. Egil “Drillo” Olsen had just taken over as manager, and his approach to the game was quite different from what was typical at the time.

“He was ahead of his era, emphasising a more direct style of play that focused on winning the ball back quickly and launching swift attacks to score goals. We didn’t prioritise possession; instead, we were defensively robust and incredibly efficient.

“As a result, we were able to defeat teams with superior talent, which speaks volumes about Olsen’s coaching. Our success in qualifying for the World Cups is a testament to this. During that period, an increasing number of Norwegian players were transferring to larger clubs in England. At one point, there were over 20 Norwegian players in the Premier League.

“The 1990s were a remarkable time for us and a significant era for Norwegian football, especially with clubs like Rosenborg competing in the Champions League and Molde making their mark as well. It truly was a golden age for Norwegian football.”

Finally, Henning, as you reflect on your managerial career, you’ve achieved notable success, including league titles and the Polish Cup in Poland, a league title and Super Cup in Cyprus, and a stint managing in the Championship with Blackburn. How do you view your journey in management thus far, and what have been some of the most significant lessons that you’ve gained along the way?

“I consider myself fortunate regarding my career transition after playing. My final year was with Glasgow Rangers, where I had the opportunity to experience the club during a thrilling time. Competing in the Champions League and facing Manchester United in the group stages was particularly special.

“However, finishing second behind Celtic was disappointing; in that rivalry, finishing as runners-up is never considered a successful season. Nonetheless, the experience was invaluable.

“Upon returning to Norway, I pursued my coaching badges and took on some television work. I was fortunate to secure a position as head coach of a team in the top league in Norway. Although it was a smaller club, it had a strong academy, and we successfully developed many young players.

“During my four and a half years there, we finished third in my first season, which was a solid achievement, before I moved on to Lillestrøm. At Lillestrøm, we underwent a rebuilding phase, integrating and nurturing young talent, which we subsequently sold for profit, and I spent three years there.

“When Blackburn Rovers approached me, I couldn’t turn down the opportunity, even though I recognised the risk involved, as the club had just been relegated from the Premier League. Unfortunately, my time there was brief, but I was willing to take that risk because of my history as a player with the club.

“After that, I joined Legia Warsaw in Poland, where we won both the league and the cup. Our goal there was to perform well in European competitions; we achieved notable success, including a memorable 6-1 victory over Celtic in the Champions League qualifiers. Unfortunately, due to an administrative error with player registration, Celtic advanced instead. We did, however, progress to the Europa League and performed admirably.

“Following my time in Poland, I went to Stabæk and then to Omonia in Cyprus, where we achieved a significant milestone by winning the league title after a 10-year drought, which was a particularly special accomplishment.”