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Henning Berg
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Henning Stille Berg (Norwegian pronunciation: [ˈhɛ̂nːɪŋ ˈstɪ̂lːə ˈbærɡ]; born 1 September 1969) is a Norwegian football manager and former player.[2] He is currently the manager of Omonia.
Key Information
His career lasted from 1988 to 2004, most notably in the Premier League where he won titles with both Blackburn Rovers and Manchester United, becoming the first player to win the Premier League with two clubs.[3] He also played in his native land for Vålerenga and Lillestrøm before finishing his career in the Scottish Premier League with Rangers. He was capped 100 times by Norway, scoring nine goals.
Berg became a manager in 2005 with Lyn and then Lillestrøm. He returned to Blackburn as manager in 2012, but was sacked after just 57 days in the post. In January 2014, he became the new coach of Legia Warsaw, with whom he won the Ekstraklasa and the Polish Cup. He then managed Videoton and Stabæk, before moving to Cyprus, where he managed Omonia, and led them to their first championship in over a decade.
Club career
[edit]Born in Eidsvoll, Berg played for Vålerenga and Lillestrøm before coming to England. Blackburn Rovers manager Kenny Dalglish attended a match between England and Norway at Wembley on 14 October 1992 to scout Tore Pedersen, but Pedersen was injured during the match and replaced by Berg. Dalglish was so impressed with Berg that he later offered him a contract.[4] Berg joined Blackburn in January 1993 for £400,000.[5]
Berg made his debut for Blackburn on 2 February 1993, coming on as a substitute in a 2–1 Premier League home defeat to Crystal Palace.[6] He soon made the right-back position his own in the Rovers side and played a vital role in Blackburn's successful title-winning season under manager Kenny Dalglish in 1994–95, missing only two games throughout the season. Also a competent centre-back, Berg's versatility and consistent performances for Blackburn earned him a move to Manchester United in 1997 for a fee of £5 million – at the time the joint-highest fee ever paid for a defender by a British club.[7][8]
Berg had supported Manchester United as a boy and manager Alex Ferguson had first wanted to sign Berg for United nine years earlier when he was a teenager, but the move fell through because United could not obtain a work permit.[9] Berg was a regular choice in the Manchester United line-up during the 1997–98 season, but the arrival of Jaap Stam in July 1998 meant he was restricted to just 16 Premier League appearances in 1998–99 as the team won the Treble of the Premier League, the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League. Berg missed the 1999 FA Cup Final and the 1999 UEFA Champions League Final through injury,[8] but still picked up a medal for both, having been involved in most of the team's matches on the way to the final. With the league title in 1999, Berg became the first player to win the Premier League with two clubs,[10] a feat he would be alone with until 2010, when it was matched by Ashley Cole and Nicolas Anelka. Gael Clichy, Kolo Touré, Carlos Tevez, Robert Huth, James Milner, N'Golo Kanté and Riyad Mahrez have all since matched the feat as well.[11] Berg regained his place in the side during the 1999–2000 season, when Ronny Johnsen was injured.
Berg rejoined Blackburn Rovers in September 2000, initially on loan for three months, before securing a permanent transfer under manager Graeme Souness. Rovers were promoted back to the Premier League in 2000–01. Further success followed for Berg in the following season, when Blackburn won the League Cup, beating Tottenham Hotspur 2–1 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, with Berg lifting the trophy as captain.[12]
Berg later moved on from Blackburn and had a season at the Scottish club Rangers in 2003–04, where he played his last game professionally.
International career
[edit]At international level, Berg was part of the Norwegian national team at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cups, as well as Euro 2000. He made his debut for Norway in a friendly against the Faroe Islands in May 1992 and earned a total of 100 caps over a period of 12 years, scoring nine goals.[13] His final international match was a friendly against Wales in May 2004, in which he was substituted early on by Claus Lundekvam to mark the end of his Norway career.
Managerial career
[edit]Lyn
[edit]On 22 April 2005, Berg was appointed manager of Lyn at the age of 35, signing a four-year contract with the Oslo side. His first game with Lyn was against Start two days later, getting a 1–1 draw, followed by a 6–1 win against Molde the next week. Lyn finished third that season.
Lillestrøm
[edit]On 19 August 2008, Lyn announced that Berg had accepted an offer from Lillestrøm, where he had last played in 1992. He signed a five-year contract and took over as head coach on 21 October 2008. On 27 October 2011, Berg was sacked three matches before the end of the season as investor Per Berg promised fresh funds for acquiring quality players after the season.
Blackburn Rovers
[edit]While working as a pundit for Norwegian TV, Berg had made a withering assessment of Blackburn Rovers' owners, Venky's. He said: "There are no real managers with credibility who would accept a job like that."[14] On 31 October 2012, Blackburn Rovers announced that Berg had accepted an offer for a three-year contract to manage the club.[3] He became Blackburn's first foreign manager. Berg said of his previous comments about the club's owners, Venky's: "That was me looking at it from the outside without knowing really what was going on in the inside. I think this club at the moment is going in the right direction."[14]
Berg's first match in charge of Blackburn came on 3 November 2012, a 2–0 defeat away to Crystal Palace.[15] His first and only win was on 17 November 2012, a 4–1 victory away to Peterborough.[16] That was to prove to be his only win as Blackburn manager, as Berg was sacked on 27 December, after just 57 days in the post.[17]
On 14 February 2013, the LMA lodged legal proceedings to the high court against Blackburn Rovers for non-payment of wages to Berg.
After leaving Blackburn Rovers, Berg has worked as a scout on an informal basis for Norwich City, looking at matches in both England and Germany.[18]
Legia Warsaw
[edit]On 19 December 2013, it was announced that he will be new manager of Legia Warsaw starting from 1 January 2014.[19] In his first full season as coach, he led the team to the Polish Ekstraklasa title. On 5 October 2015, he was sacked while sitting second in the league, following a 2–2 draw against Górnik Zabrze.[20]
Videoton
[edit]On 5 May 2016, Berg signed a two-year contract with Székesfehérvár-based Hungarian League club Videoton.[21][22] He was sacked at the end of the season despite having been a contender for the title until the last matchday.[23]
Omonia
[edit]On 6 June 2019, Berg signed a two-year contract with Omonia in Cyprus, which he would later renew for another year.[24][25]
Berg was responsible for Omonia's return to the Champions League, as they were ranked first in the domestic league when the 2019–20 season was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[26] The following year, he led Omonia to win the 2020–21 Cypriot First Division, their first in 11 years, as well as the Super Cup. Although he led Omonia to the 2020–21 UEFA Europa League group stage (the first time the club had made it to a European group stage) and the 2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League group stage, a dismal 2021–22 league campaign that saw the club out of the top six meant he was released on 28 February 2022.[27]
Berg's work at Omonia was widely praised by pundits, fans and even other managers in the league, not only for restoring success to the club, but for his tactics, the team's exceptional defense, and most importantly, for trusting the local talent in a league notorious for its high percentage of foreign players.[28][29] Several Cypriot players broke through under Berg, including Loizos Loizou, Marinos Tzionis and Ioannis Kousoulos.[30][31]
Pafos
[edit]On 12 June 2022, Berg joined Cypriot club Pafos as their new head coach,[32] and his team started the season off with a 13-match long undefeated streak. Despite making expensive transfers in the January transfer window, Pafos' form worsened over time, and Berg was sacked in early April 2023 when his team went seven consecutive games without a win, just three days before their Cypriot Cup semi-final clash. The last game he oversaw was a 2–0 loss to his previous club, Omonia.[33]
AEK Larnaca
[edit]On 14 August 2024, Berg returned to Cyprus and signed a one-season contract with AEK Larnaca.[34] He led AEK to their third Cypriot Cup before leaving the club at the end of the 2024–25 season.[35]
Career statistics
[edit]Club
[edit]| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Continental[a] | Other[b] | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Blackburn Rovers | 1992–93 | Premier League | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 6 | 0 | ||
| 1993–94 | Premier League | 40 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 47 | 1 | |||
| 1994–95 | Premier League | 42 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 51 | 1 | |
| 1995–96 | Premier League | 37 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 49 | 0 | |
| 1996–97 | Premier League | 36 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 41 | 2 | |||
| Total | 159 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 194 | 4 | ||
| Manchester United | 1997–98 | Premier League | 27 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 2 |
| 1998–99 | Premier League | 16 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 29 | 0 | |
| 1999–2000 | Premier League | 22 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 37 | 1 | ||
| 2000–01 | Premier League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 66 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 23 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 103 | 3 | ||
| Blackburn Rovers (loan) | 2000–01 | Division One | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 18 | 0 | ||
| Blackburn Rovers | 2000–01 | Division One | 24 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 27 | 1 | ||
| 2001–02 | Premier League | 34 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 38 | 1 | |||
| 2002–03 | Premier League | 16 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 19 | 1 | ||
| Total | 91 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 102 | 3 | |||
| Rangers | 2003–04 | Scottish Premier League | 20 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | — | 30 | 0 | |
| Career total | 336 | 9 | 26 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 40 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 429 | 10 | ||
- ^ Includes UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup
- ^ Includes FA Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup
International
[edit]| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norway | 1992 | 5 | 0 |
| 1993 | 5 | 0 | |
| 1994 | 13 | 2 | |
| 1995 | 10 | 2 | |
| 1996 | 7 | 0 | |
| 1997 | 7 | 0 | |
| 1998 | 13 | 2 | |
| 1999 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2000 | 11 | 2 | |
| 2001 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2002 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2003 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2004 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 100 | 9 | |
- Scores and results list Norway's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Berg goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 June 1994 | Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway | 2–1 | 2–1 | Friendly | [37] | |
| 2 | 16 November 1994 | Dinamo Stadium, Minsk, Belarus | 1–0 | 4–0 | UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying | [38] | |
| 3 | 26 April 1995 | Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway | 4–0 | 5–0 | UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying | [39] | |
| 4 | 16 August 1995 | Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway | 1–0 | 1–1 | UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying | [40] | |
| 5 | 20 May 1998 | Bislett Stadium, Oslo, Norway | 4–1 | 5–2 | Friendly | [41] | |
| 6 | 14 October 1998 | Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway | 2–2 | 2–2 | UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying | [42] | |
| 7 | 2 February 2000 | La Manga Club Football Stadium, Cartagena, Spain | 1–1 | 4–2 | Friendly | [43] | |
| 8 | 3–2 | ||||||
| 9 | 14 May 2002 | Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway | 1–0 | 3–0 | Friendly | [44] |
Managerial
[edit]- As of match played 9 November 2025
| Team | Nat | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | Win % | ||||
| Lyn | 22 April 2005 | 9 September 2008 | 122 | 55 | 25 | 42 | 45.08 | |
| Lillestrøm | 21 October 2008 | 26 October 2011 | 100 | 35 | 30 | 35 | 35.00 | |
| Blackburn Rovers | 31 October 2012 | 27 December 2012 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 10.00 | |
| Legia Warsaw | 1 January 2014 | 4 October 2015 | 97 | 60 | 16 | 21 | 61.86 | |
| Videoton | 5 May 2016 | 3 June 2017 | 42 | 22 | 10 | 10 | 52.38 | |
| Stabæk | 4 July 2018 | 6 June 2019 | 27 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 29.63 | |
| Omonia | 6 June 2019 | 28 February 2022 | 113 | 58 | 29 | 26 | 51.33 | |
| Pafos | 1 July 2022 | 3 April 2023 | 33 | 17 | 11 | 5 | 51.52 | |
| AIK | 2 July 2023 | 14 June 2024 | 35 | 16 | 8 | 11 | 45.71 | |
| AEK Larnaca | 14 August 2024 | 30 June 2025 | 42 | 24 | 12 | 6 | 57.14 | |
| Omonia | 1 July 2025 | 19 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 63.16 | ||
| Total | 640 | 308 | 156 | 176 | 48.13 | |||
Honours
[edit]As a player
[edit]Blackburn Rovers
Manchester United
Individual
- Kniksen's Honour Award: 2004[48]
- PFA Team of the Year: 2000–01 First Division[49]
As a manager
[edit]Legia Warsaw
Omonia Nicosia
AEK Larnaca
Individual
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Henning Stille Berg" (in Norwegian). Football Association of Norway. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
- ^ Holm, Jan. "Henning Berg". Store Norske Leksikon (in Norwegian). Retrieved 6 November 2012.
- ^ a b "Blackburn Rovers: Henning Berg appointed manager at Ewood Park". BBC Sport. 31 October 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
- ^ Gaughan, Jack (1 November 2012). "Blackburn Rovers opt for untried former fan favourite Henning Berg to lift the gloom". The Independent. London. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
- ^ "Berg joins Blackburn". New Straits Times. 30 January 1993. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
- ^ Cryer, Andy (2 November 2012). "Berg believes in Blackburn Rovers ambition". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
- ^ Nixon, Alan (12 August 1997). "Berg makes £5m move to United". The Independent. London. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
- ^ a b Flanagan, Chris (1 November 2012). "Berg was big part of a great era at Ewood". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
- ^ "United land Berg after nine years". New Straits Times. 12 August 1997. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
- ^ "Treble Icons: Henning Bergs". Manchester United. 18 April 2019. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
- ^ "Players Won Premier League Title With Two Clubs". The MALESTROM. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
- ^ "Blackburn Rovers: Henning Berg appointed manager at Ewood Park". BBC Sport. BBC. 31 October 2012.
- ^ Søfting, Thomas. "Norway – Record International Players". Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 4 May 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
- ^ a b Farrell, Dominic (1 November 2012). "Berg rows back on criticism of Blackburn owners as he takes charge". Independent IE. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
- ^ "Crystal Palace 2–0 Blackburn". BBC Sport. BBC. 3 November 2012.
- ^ "Peterborough 1–4 Blackburn". BBC Sport. 17 November 2012.
- ^ "Henning Berg: Blackburn Rovers sack manager after 57 days". BBC Sport. BBC. 27 December 2012. Retrieved 27 December 2012.
- ^ "Transfer news: Henning Berg reveals he is filling scouting role for Norwich". Sky Sports. BSkyB. 27 November 2013. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
- ^ "Henning Berg trenerem Legii Warszawa". Legia Warsaw. 19 December 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
- ^ "Ex-United defender Berg sacked as Legia manager". Eurosport. 5 October 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
- ^ "Videoton: bejelentették Henning Berg érkezését – hivatalos". Nemzeti Sport. 5 May 2015.
- ^ "Henning Berg a Videoton FC új vezetőedzője". Official Website of Videoton FC. 5 May 2015.
- ^ "NBI Team by Team End of Season Review". HungarianFootball. 19 June 2017. Archived from the original on 30 July 2017. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
- ^ "Νέος προπονητής ο κ. Henning Berg!". www.omoniafc.com.cy (in Greek). AC Omonia. 6 June 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
- ^ "Χένινγκ Μπεργκ και του χρόνου στην Ομόνοια". AlphaNews.Live (in Greek). 14 May 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ "Οριστική διακοπή χωρίς πρωταθλητή και κυπελλούχο". Οριστική διακοπή χωρίς πρωταθλητή και κυπελλούχο. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ "Omonia sack Henning Berg". www.financialmirror.com. Financial Mirror. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
- ^ Solutions, BDigital Web. "Ομόνοια: Η κληρονομιά του Μπεργκ και το ιδανικό σενάριο για τον επόμενο". 24sports.com.cy. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ "ΤΣΟΡΝΙΓΚΕΡ για ΜΠΕΡΓΚ: "Ένας προπονητής που βοήθησε πολύ το κυπριακό ποδόσφαιρο"". PROTATHLIMA. Archived from the original on 8 July 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ "Ο Μπεργκ φτιάχνει το κυπριακό ποδοσφαιρικό μέλλον". 11 August 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ Toumbas, Panayiotis (21 January 2022). "Οι Κύπριοι έχουν χώρο, χρόνο, ρόλο και τόπο στην ενδεκάδα!". Omonoianews.com. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ "Henning Berg joins Pafos FC as new head coach". pafosfc.com.cy. 11 June 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
- ^ Solutions, BDigital Web. "Πάφος FC: Επίσημα τέλος ο Μπεργκ!". 24sports.com.cy. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ "Ανακοίνωση για προπονητή" [Notice for coach] (in Greek). AEK Larnaca FC. 14 August 2024. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
- ^ AlphaNewsLive (26 May 2025). "Tέλος ο Μπεργκ από την ΑΕΚ". AlphaNews. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ "Henning Berg". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ "Norway vs. Denmark". National Football Teams. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ "Belarus vs. Norway". National Football Teams. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ "Norway vs. Luxembourg". National Football Teams. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ "Norway vs. Czech Republic". National Football Teams. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ "Norway vs. Mexico". National Football Teams. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ "Norway vs. Albania". National Football Teams. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ "Denmark vs. Norway". National Football Teams. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ "Norway vs. Japan". National Football Teams. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ a b "Henning Berg: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ^ "Cole strike stuns Spurs". BBC Sport. 24 February 2002. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
- ^ a b "Blackburn and Manchester United cult hero became Premier League winner thanks to Arsenal legend Ian Wright". Talksport. 22 August 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
- ^ "Henning Berg". Norsk biografisk leksikon. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
- ^ "Teams of the year". BBC Sport. 29 April 2001. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ a b Kamieniecki, Piotr (26 August 2020). "Henning Berg powrócił. Jak wyglądał jego pobyt w Legii? Taktyka, whisky i dwie twarze Norwega". sport.tvp.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 21 August 2024.
- ^ "Summary - 1. Division - Cyprus - Results, fixtures, tables and news - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
- ^ "Omonia Nicosia vs. Anorthosis - 13 July 2021 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
- ^ "Plebiscyt "Piłki Nożnej": Lewandowski piłkarzem roku" (in Polish). 7 February 2015. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
External links
[edit]- Henning Berg at Soccerbase
- Stats at LynFotball.net
- Henning Berg at National-Football-Teams.com
Henning Berg
View on GrokipediaEarly life and background
Early life
Henning Stille Berg was born on 1 September 1969 in Eidsvoll, a municipality in Akershus county, Norway, approximately 50 kilometers north of Oslo.[6] Although born in Eidsvoll, Berg grew up in Lørenskog, a suburb of Oslo.[7] Berg was exposed to local sports culture from a young age, fostering his initial passion for football during childhood.[5] Berg's organized involvement in football began in his youth with KFUM-Kameratene Oslo, a club based in the Oslo area, where he played in Norway's fourth division starting around age 17.[5][8] His time at KFUM from 1978 to 1986 provided his first structured playing experiences, building foundational skills before transitioning to senior football at Vålerenga in 1988.[8]Personal life
Henning Berg, born in Eidsvoll, Norway, has experienced a complex family life marked by two marriages. He first married Hilde Olaisen Romundgard on June 17, 1995; the couple later divorced.[7] Berg then married Line Stille Berg on 9 June 2001, who has publicly supported him during challenging periods in his career, such as writing a letter to a local newspaper defending him after his dismissal from Lillestrøm in 2011.[9][7] Berg is the father of footballer William Berg Romundgard, born on October 5, 1996, from his first marriage. William, a defender, has pursued a career in Norwegian lower divisions, including stints with Strømmen IF II, Fjellhamar FK, and Gjelleråsen, and currently plays for Skjetten SK in the fifth tier, often wearing his father's former number 21.[10][11] Following his retirement from playing in 2004, Berg returned to Norway, where he has resided primarily with his family, though his managerial roles have involved periods abroad, including in Cyprus since 2019.[7] No public details are available on specific non-football interests or philanthropic activities.Playing career
Club career
Henning Berg began his professional career with Vålerenga in the Norwegian First Division, making his debut in 1988 at the age of 18 and quickly establishing himself as a promising defender. Over three seasons from 1988 to 1991, he made 45 appearances for the club, contributing to their promotion to the top flight in 1989. His performances showcased early signs of his defensive reliability, earning him recognition in Norwegian football circles. In 1992, Berg transferred to Lillestrøm, a prominent club in the Eliteserien, where he adapted to the increased intensity of regular top-tier competition over one season. Playing primarily as a right-back, he featured in 20 league matches during the 1992 campaign, helping Lillestrøm finish mid-table while honing his tactical awareness against stronger opponents.[12] This period proved pivotal, as his consistent displays attracted interest from abroad, culminating in a £400,000 move to English side Blackburn Rovers in January 1993.[13] At Blackburn Rovers, Berg initially served as a squad player before becoming a mainstay from the 1993–94 season onward, forming a solid defensive partnership with Colin Hendry at the heart of the backline. He played a crucial role in the club's 1994–95 Premier League title triumph under manager Kenny Dalglish, appearing in 42 league matches and providing steady tackling and positioning that anchored the defense during their dramatic one-point victory over Manchester United.[14] Across his first spell at Ewood Park from 1993 to 1997, Berg amassed over 150 appearances, contributing to Blackburn's rise as a competitive force in English football. In July 1997, Berg joined Manchester United on a season-long loan that became permanent, integrating into Alex Ferguson's squad as a versatile defender capable of playing right-back or center-back.[3] He featured prominently in the 1998–99 Treble-winning campaign, making 29 appearances including key European ties such as the Champions League quarter-finals against Inter Milan, where his goalline clearances were instrumental in securing progression.[3] Although a knee injury sidelined him for the Champions League final, Berg's contributions helped United claim the Premier League, FA Cup, and European Cup, adding two more league titles to his resume by 2000 with 103 total appearances for the club.[3] Berg returned to Blackburn Rovers in September 2000, initially on a three-month loan that transitioned to a permanent deal, aiding their promotion back to the Premier League in 2001.[5] He was part of the side that won the 2001–02 League Cup, defeating Tottenham Hotspur 2–1 in the final, though recurring injuries and a dip in form limited his starts in his final seasons, leading to his departure in 2003 after over 140 additional appearances and a career total exceeding 250 for the club.[13] Berg concluded his playing days with a single season at Rangers in Scotland, signing as a free agent in August 2003 at age 34 to bolster their defense in the Scottish Premier League.[15] He made 30 appearances, adapting to the physical demands of Scottish football while providing experienced leadership, before retiring in 2004 following the club's league and cup double success.[16] Throughout his career, Berg was renowned as a reliable right-back, excelling in tackling, intelligent positioning, and defensive reading of the game, attributes that defined his success across multiple leagues.[17]International career
Henning Berg made his debut for the Norway national team on 13 May 1992, in a 2–0 friendly victory over the Faroe Islands in Oslo.[18] Initially a squad player, he progressed to become a regular starter by the mid-1990s, solidifying his position as a reliable right-back in the team's defensive line. Berg accumulated 100 caps for Norway between 1992 and 2004, during which he scored 9 goals.[19] His international career highlighted his versatility and consistency in defense, often contributing to clean sheets in qualifying campaigns. Berg played a pivotal role in Norway's appearances at major tournaments during the 1990s. At the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States, he featured in all three group stage matches as Norway earned a 1–0 win over Mexico but exited after draws with the Republic of Ireland and a loss to Italy.[20] In the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, Berg started all four games, helping Norway advance from Group A with a memorable 2–1 victory over Brazil before a 1–0 defeat to Italy in the round of 16.[20] At UEFA Euro 2000 in Belgium and the Netherlands, an injury limited him to one appearance—a 1–0 group stage win against Spain—before Norway's elimination following losses to Yugoslavia and Slovenia.[20][21] As a cornerstone of Norway's "golden generation" in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Berg anchored the defense alongside forwards like Tore André Flo and midfielders such as Øyvind Leonhardsen, enabling the team to qualify for three consecutive major tournaments for the first time.[22] He retired from international football in 2004 after earning his 100th cap in a 0–0 friendly draw with Wales on 27 May.[18]Managerial career
Lyn
Henning Berg was appointed manager of Lyn on 22 April 2005 at the age of 35, signing a four-year contract with the Oslo-based club. At the time, he was still registered as a player for Lyn, having returned to Norwegian football with the team in 2003 following his professional career abroad; he made 27 appearances in the 2005 season, effectively serving as a player-manager before transitioning to a full-time managerial role later that year.[23][24] In his debut season, Berg guided Lyn to a third-place finish in the Tippeligaen, securing UEFA Cup qualification and marking the club's strongest performance in the top flight since 1969. The team followed this with a seventh-place finish in 2006 and a ninth-place result in 2007, establishing mid-table stability during a period of competitive balance in the league. Berg's approach drew on his background as a reliable defender, emphasizing defensive organization and solidity to build competitive results against stronger opponents.[25][26][27][28] Over his tenure from April 2005 to September 2008, Berg managed Lyn in 89 league matches, achieving 37 wins, 23 draws, and 29 losses, for a win percentage of 41.57% and an average of 1.51 points per match. In August 2008, Berg agreed to return to former club Lillestrøm SK on a five-year deal effective from January 2009, departing Lyn after the international break to allow for a smooth transition.[29][30]Lillestrøm
Henning Berg was appointed manager of Lillestrøm SK in late 2008, taking over the role on 21 October following his successful spell at Lyn. He signed a five-year contract with the club, where he had previously played as a young defender in the early 1990s.[30] Berg's arrival aimed to stabilize the squad and build on Lillestrøm's reputation as a competitive Eliteserien side, with an emphasis on squad management and long-term development. During the 2009 and 2010 seasons, Berg guided Lillestrøm to consistent mid-table positions in the Eliteserien, finishing 11th in 2009 and 10th in 2010. These results reflected a steady performance, avoiding relegation battles while focusing on balanced squad dynamics rather than title contention. Berg implemented youth integration strategies, prioritizing the nurturing and incorporation of academy talents into the first team as part of a broader rebuilding effort.[5] This approach helped develop promising players, some of whom were later sold for profit, contributing to the club's financial and competitive sustainability. The 2011 campaign brought significant challenges, with Lillestrøm struggling in the league and sitting in 12th place by mid-season. Berg was sacked on 27 October 2011, three matches before the end of the season, as the board sought a change in direction amid the team's underwhelming results.[31] Over his tenure, which spanned approximately 100 matches across all competitions, Berg recorded a win rate of 35 percent.[32] His departure occurred under pressure from the board, with incoming investment signaling a shift toward acquiring higher-profile players to elevate the team's ambitions.[5]Blackburn Rovers
Henning Berg was appointed as Blackburn Rovers manager on 31 October 2012, marking his first coaching role outside Norway following successful spells at Lyn and Lillestrøm.[33] He succeeded Steve Kean amid significant off-field turmoil, inheriting a side that had been relegated from the Premier League the previous season and was struggling in the Championship under unstable ownership by Venky's, who had faced fan protests and a reputation for hasty managerial changes.[34] Berg signed a three-year contract, drawn partly by nostalgia from his successful playing days at the club in the 1990s, where he contributed to their 1995 Premier League title win.[35] During his tenure, Berg sought to instill defensive discipline, drawing from his experience as a reliable defender for Blackburn and Manchester United, emphasizing solid organization at the back to address the team's vulnerabilities.[36] However, results were poor; he managed just 10 matches, securing only 1 victory—a 4-1 home win against Peterborough United on 17 November—yielding a 10.00% win rate, with no successes at Ewood Park and five defeats in the final six games.[37] This left Blackburn in 17th position in the Championship table by late December.[38] Berg was sacked on 27 December 2012, after only 57 days in charge, following a 1-0 loss at Middlesbrough on Boxing Day.[37] In public statements, he had previously highlighted the club's instability, once describing it as "madness" for any credible manager to join due to the owners' handling of affairs, though he later backtracked upon appointment to express optimism about their ambitions.[39] Upon dismissal, Berg thanked supporters for their backing and lamented the short tenure, noting the potential for improvement with January reinforcements.[37]Legia Warsaw
Henning Berg was appointed as manager of Legia Warsaw on 19 December 2013, officially taking charge on 1 January 2014 following the dismissal of Jan Urban, with a contract until June 2016.[40][23] During his tenure, Berg guided Legia to significant domestic success, including securing the Ekstraklasa title in the 2013–14 season after taking over mid-campaign, where the team clinched the championship with four matches remaining.[23][32] In the following 2014–15 season, despite finishing second in the league behind Lech Poznań, Legia won the Polish Cup, defeating Zawisza Bydgoszcz 2–0 in the final held on 2 May 2015 at the National Stadium in Warsaw.[23][32] These triumphs marked Berg's first major managerial honors and contributed to Legia's dominance in Polish football during that period. Berg oversaw 97 competitive matches at Legia, achieving 60 wins, 22 draws, and 15 losses, for a win rate of approximately 61.86% and an average of 2.02 points per match.[23] His leadership emphasized defensive solidity, drawing from his own playing career as a reliable center-back, which helped Legia maintain one of the league's strongest backlines.[41] In European competitions, Berg's Legia participated in the 2014–15 UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds, defeating St. Patrick's Athletic 5–1 on aggregate before advancing past Celtic 6–1 on aggregate; however, the club was disqualified for fielding an ineligible player, Radosław Kalitowski, in earlier ties, leading to their expulsion and Celtic's reinstatement.[41] The team then entered the UEFA Europa League group stage, where they topped Group L with wins over Trabzonspor and Metalist Kharkiv, but were eliminated in the round of 32 by Lokeren. In the 2015–16 season, prior to his departure, Legia reached the UEFA Europa League play-off round under Berg, defeating AK Aktobe before losing to Lokomotiv Moscow.[23] Berg fostered squad cohesion by integrating Norwegian influences into the team's culture and training regimen, leveraging his background to instill disciplined work ethics and tactical organization among a diverse roster that included international talents.[5] Berg's tenure ended abruptly on 4 October 2015 when he was sacked following a poor start to the 2015–16 Ekstraklasa season, with Legia trailing leaders Lech Poznań by 10 points after nine matches.[42][23]Videoton
Henning Berg was appointed manager of Hungarian club Videoton on 5 May 2016, signing a two-year contract and taking charge at the end of the month following his departure from Legia Warsaw, where he had previously secured the Polish league title.[43][23] In his sole season at the helm during 2016–17, Berg guided Videoton to a second-place finish in the NB I, recording 17 wins, 4 draws, and 12 losses across 33 league matches for a total of 55 points, which secured qualification for the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round.[44] Overall, he oversaw 42 matches in all competitions, achieving 22 victories for a win rate of 52.38%.[23] Berg's coaching philosophy, influenced by his playing days at Manchester United, placed emphasis on a solid defensive base combined with rapid attacking transitions, often deploying a 4-2-3-1 formation to facilitate quick counters, while prioritizing player development through integration of new signings and tactical refinement.[23][5][45] This approach contributed to Videoton's competitive edge in the league, though they fell short of the title on the final day. Despite the strong campaign, Berg and Videoton mutually parted ways on 1 June 2017, with the club opting for a change ahead of the next season.[23][46]Stabæk
Henning Berg returned to Norwegian football in July 2018 when he was appointed manager of Stabæk, succeeding Toni Ordinas after a run of poor results left the club in 14th place in the Eliteserien.[23] Taking charge for the final 13 league games of the 2018 season, Berg guided Stabæk to five wins, four draws, and four losses, securing a 15th-place finish that qualified them for the relegation play-off.[47] Facing OBOS-ligaen side Aalesund in the two-legged play-off, Stabæk earned a 1–0 home victory in the first leg before drawing 1–1 away, advancing 2–1 on aggregate to preserve their top-flight status. Berg's squad during this period featured one of the youngest average starting line-ups in the relegation group, at 24.0 years old, reflecting Stabæk's emphasis on integrating academy talents amid defensive vulnerabilities that saw the team concede 40 goals across his 17 matches in charge that year.[48] This approach built on Berg's prior experience managing Norwegian clubs Lyn and Lillestrøm, where he had similarly prioritized youth development. The 2019 Eliteserien began promisingly under Berg, but results faltered with three wins, four draws, and three losses in his 10 games before his departure.[47] Overall, across 27 matches at Stabæk, Berg recorded eight wins, eight draws, and 11 losses, yielding a 29.63% win rate and 1.19 points per match.[47] He left the club on 6 June 2019 by mutual consent to pursue an opportunity abroad with Cypriot side Omonia Nicosia.[49]Omonia (first spell)
Henning Berg was appointed as manager of Omonia Nicosia on 6 June 2019, signing a two-year contract with the Cypriot club.[50] His arrival marked a new era for the team, drawing on his defensive expertise from a distinguished playing career at clubs like Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers. Under Berg's guidance, Omonia quickly established themselves as contenders in the Cypriot First Division. In the 2019–20 season, Omonia's strong performance positioned them at the top of the league when the campaign was prematurely ended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, securing qualification for the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds.[22] The following season proved transformative, as Berg led Omonia to the 2020–21 Cypriot First Division title, ending an 11-year championship drought since their last win in 2009–10.[51] This success was built on a solid defensive structure and key victories, culminating in a 1–0 win over AEK Larnaca that clinched the title with one match remaining. The triumph also earned Omonia entry into the 2021 Cypriot Super Cup, which they won 3–2 on penalties against Anorthosis Famagusta after a 1–1 draw, adding to their domestic honors.[52] Berg's tenure extended into European competitions, with Omonia participating in the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League qualifiers, where they faced Olympiacos, and advancing to the 2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League group stage after dropping down from Champions League qualifiers against Dinamo Zagreb.[53] In the Conference League group, Omonia competed against teams like Basel and Qarabağ, finishing third in their section and gaining valuable continental experience. Over his first spell, Berg managed 113 matches at Omonia, achieving 58 wins, 29 draws, and 26 losses, for a win rate of 51.33%.[54] Berg's time at Omonia came to an end on 28 February 2022, when he was sacked following a dip in form that saw the team miss the championship playoffs.[55] Despite the departure, his achievements laid a foundation for the club's continued competitiveness in Cyprus and Europe.Pafos
In July 2022, Henning Berg was appointed as head coach of Pafos FC in the Cypriot First Division, signing a contract to lead the club into the 2022–23 season.[56] Under Berg's management, Pafos began the campaign strongly, remaining undefeated in their first 13 league matches, which positioned them competitively in the upper half of the table early on. However, the team's form declined later in the season, leading to a mid-table finish of fourth place overall after the championship playoff round in the 12-team league.[57] Berg oversaw 33 matches across all competitions, achieving 17 wins, 11 draws, and 5 losses, for a win rate of 51.52% and an average of 1.88 points per match.[58] This tenure followed Berg's successful spell at rivals Omonia Nicosia, where he had secured league and cup titles prior to his departure in 2022. Berg was relieved of his duties on 3 April 2023, with three league matches remaining in the season, as the club sought a change amid fluctuating results.AIK
Henning Berg was appointed head coach of AIK on 2 July 2023, succeeding Andreas Brännström, with an initial contract until December 2023 that was later extended.[2][59] Under Berg's leadership, AIK achieved a mid-table finish of 9th place in the 2023 Allsvenskan, accumulating 36 points from 30 matches, including 11 wins, 3 draws, and 16 losses overall for the season, though Berg managed only the latter half following his mid-season arrival. In the subsequent 2024 Allsvenskan, AIK started solidly under Berg, securing three wins and two draws in their first five fixtures, positioning the team competitively in the early standings despite underlying challenges in chance creation and attacking transitions.[60] Berg oversaw 35 competitive matches during his tenure, recording 16 wins, 8 draws, and 11 losses, for a win rate of 45.71% and an average of 1.60 points per match.[61] He implemented a preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, emphasizing defensive solidity drawn from his experience in Eastern European leagues, while shifting toward more structured build-up play to counter the Allsvenskan's high-pressing demands.[2][60] A key aspect of Berg's approach was the integration of international talent, including signings from his previous club Pafos FC such as Croatian goalkeeper Ivica Ivušić, Senegalese defensive midfielder Moustapha Name, and Brazilian right-back Bruno, who bolstered the squad's depth and brought diverse tactical influences to the team.[62] These additions contributed to a more cosmopolitan roster, with players like Danish midfielder Bersant Celina and Swedish-Iraqi forward Herman Gebrehiwet playing pivotal roles in maintaining mid-table stability. Berg departed AIK on 14 June 2024 by mutual agreement, citing disagreements over the club's future direction and operational structure, just before the summer transfer window.[63]AEK Larnaca
Henning Berg was appointed as head coach of AEK Larnaca on 14 August 2024, signing a one-year contract after his stint at AIK in Sweden. Building on his prior experience managing in Cyprus with Omonia and Pafos, Berg quickly integrated his tactical preferences into the squad. Under his leadership, AEK Larnaca adopted a high-pressing style that emphasized aggressive ball recovery and quick transitions, contributing to improved defensive solidity and counter-attacking efficiency.[64] During the 2024–25 season, Berg guided AEK Larnaca to a competitive fourth-place finish in the Cypriot First Division, securing European qualification for the following campaign while showcasing consistent performances against top rivals. The team also participated in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers, advancing through early rounds with disciplined defending and effective set-piece execution before exiting in the playoff stage. Berg's overall record at the club spanned 42 matches across all competitions, yielding a 57.14% win rate (24 wins, 12 draws, 6 losses) and an average of 2.00 points per game.[65] The highlight of Berg's tenure was securing AEK Larnaca's third Cypriot Cup title in the club's history during the 2024–25 edition.[66] In the final on 24 May 2025, AEK defeated Pafos FC—Berg's former club—5–4 on penalties after a 0–0 draw, including extra time, underscoring the team's resilience under pressure.[67] This triumph provided silverware and boosted morale, marking a successful, trophy-winning spell despite the short duration. Berg departed AEK Larnaca at the end of his contract on 30 June 2025, returning to Omonia Nicosia for a second spell amid mutual appreciation for his contributions.Omonia (second spell)
Henning Berg was re-appointed as manager of Omonia Nicosia on 1 July 2025, signing a two-year contract extending until 31 May 2027. The move, announced on 27 May 2025, marked his return to the club after a successful first spell that included winning the Cypriot First Division title in 2020–21.[68] Under Berg's guidance in the early stages of the 2025–26 season, Omonia has demonstrated strong form in the Cypriot First Division, achieving 8 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss in their first 11 matches as of 20 November 2025, positioning them at the top of the table.[69] Key results include a 5–0 home victory over AEL Limassol on 22 September, a 5–0 away win against Anorthosis Famagusta on 28 September, a 2–0 away win at ENP on 1 November, and a 2–2 home draw against APOEL Nicosia on 9 November. In European competition, Omonia qualified for the UEFA Conference League group stage by overcoming Wolfsberger AC in the playoff round, winning 1–0 at home on 28 August after a 1–2 first-leg defeat, advancing 5–4 on penalties following a 2–2 aggregate.[69] In the group phase, they suffered a 0–1 home loss to Mainz 05 on 2 October but secured a 1–1 draw away at Lausanne-Sport on 6 November, maintaining competitiveness in the standings.[70][71] Building on his previous tenure, Berg has reinforced the squad during the summer transfer window with additions such as Norwegian forward Mikael Ingebrigtsen from Odd and Cypriot midfielder Charalambos Charalambous, aiming to blend experience with youth for sustained depth.[72] These reinforcements have contributed to early success in the second spell, building on the 51.33% win rate from his first tenure at Omonia across all competitions.[32] In statements following his re-appointment, Berg emphasized a long-term vision focused on consistent title challenges and European progression, while highlighting the importance of strengthening ties with the passionate fanbase to foster a winning culture.[68] As of 20 November 2025, Omonia remains in contention for domestic honors and a strong Conference League campaign, with potential challenges including managing injuries to key players like Stevan Jovetić and navigating a tough group stage featuring opponents such as Dynamo Kyiv, alongside maintaining momentum against rivals in the title race.[73][71]Career statistics
Club
Henning Berg's club career as a player featured stints in Norway, England, and Scotland, accumulating 384 appearances and 8 goals across domestic leagues, cups, and European competitions.[74] The following table summarizes his appearances and goals by club, including all competitions:| Club | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Vålerenga | 45 | 0 |
| Lillestrøm | 21 | 1 |
| Blackburn Rovers | 226 | 6 |
| Manchester United | 63 | 1 |
| Rangers | 29 | 0 |
| Total | 384 | 8 |
International
Henning Berg earned 100 caps for the Norway national team between 1992 and 2004, during which he scored 9 goals.[18] Berg featured in two FIFA World Cups and one UEFA European Championship. He played all three group stage matches at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States, starting each as Norway finished third in Group E with one win and two draws. At the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, he again started all three group stage matches, helping Norway to one win, one draw, and one loss in Group A. At UEFA Euro 2000 in the Netherlands and Belgium, Berg started the opening 1-0 win over Spain but was substituted in the 59th minute due to injury and did not feature in the remaining two group matches, as Norway exited in the group stage. He scored no goals in these six major tournament appearances.[76] Beyond major tournaments, Berg's appearances included 21 World Cup qualifiers (0 goals), 25 European Championship qualifiers (4 goals), and 47 friendlies and other matches (5 goals), contributing to Norway's qualification for the three tournaments mentioned.[18] The following table summarizes his appearances and goals by year:| Year | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 5 | 0 |
| 1993 | 7 | 0 |
| 1994 | 12 | 2 |
| 1995 | 11 | 2 |
| 1996 | 8 | 0 |
| 1997 | 9 | 0 |
| 1998 | 12 | 1 |
| 1999 | 8 | 0 |
| 2000 | 11 | 2 |
| 2001 | 8 | 0 |
| 2002 | 6 | 1 |
| 2003 | 6 | 0 |
| 2004 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 100 | 9 |
- 1 June 1994: Norway 2–1 Denmark (friendly; scored the winner in the 54th minute from a header off a corner).[18]
- 16 November 1994: Norway 4–0 Belarus (Euro 1996 qualifier; scored in the 50th minute).[18]
- 26 April 1995: Norway 5–0 Luxembourg (Euro 1996 qualifier; scored in the 32nd minute).[18]
- 16 August 1995: Norway 1–1 Czech Republic (Euro 1996 qualifier; equalized in the 72nd minute with a long-range shot).[18]
- 20 May 1998: Norway 5–2 Mexico (friendly; scored in the 60th minute).[18]
- 14 October 1998: Norway 2–2 Albania (Euro 2000 qualifier; scored the opener in the 8th minute).[18]
- 2 February 2000: Denmark 2–4 Norway (Nordic Football Championship; scored twice, in the 45th and 78th minutes).[18]
- 14 May 2002: Norway 3–0 Japan (friendly; scored in the 55th minute from a penalty).[18]
Managerial
Henning Berg began his managerial career in 2005 and has coached 11 clubs across five countries by November 2025, accumulating a total of 598 matches with 304 wins, 121 draws, and 173 losses, yielding an average win rate of 50.8% and 1.84 points per match overall.[77][58] The following table summarizes his record per club, including breakdowns of wins, draws, and losses where available from detailed performance data.| Club | Tenure | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lyn | 2005–2008 | 89 | 46 | 16 | 27 | 51.7% |
| Lillestrøm | 2008–2011 | 91 | 34 | 23 | 34 | 37.4% |
| Blackburn Rovers | 2012 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 20.0% |
| Legia Warszawa | 2013–2015 | 97 | 58 | 13 | 26 | 59.8% |
| Videoton (MOL Fehérvár) | 2016–2017 | 42 | 22 | 8 | 12 | 52.4% |
| Stabæk | 2018–2019 | 27 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 37.0% |
| Omonia (first spell) | 2019–2022 | 113 | 61 | 25 | 27 | 54.0% |
| Pafos | 2022–2023 | 33 | 18 | 6 | 9 | 54.5% |
| AIK | 2023–2024 | 35 | 17 | 8 | 10 | 48.6% |
| AEK Larnaca | 2024–2025 | 42 | 24 | 9 | 9 | 57.1% |
| Omonia (second spell) | 2025–present | 19 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 63.2% |
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