Henning Berg keen to enter Premiership management

Jun 29 2008 By Scott McDermott

HENNING BERG has revealed he'd love to be the fifth of Sir Alex Ferguson's pupils to join the school of Premiership management.

The former Rangers and Manchester United defender was pipped by another Old Trafford graduate Paul Ince to the Blackburn Rovers job recently.

Ince became the fourth of Fergie's ex-players to boss a club in the English top flight, following Steve Bruce, Roy Keane and Mark Hughes.

And Berg - who is the gaffer of Lyn Oslo in Norway - admits once you've worked under the legendary Scot his influence never leaves you.

Henning said: "It was flattering to be linked with Blackburn. It's nice to hear people think you're doing a good job.

"Paul got it and he's the fourth of Sir Alex's old players to work in the Premiership. That's no coincidence.

"It's impossible for his influence not to rub off on you. When you've played for Manchester United under Ferguson you have to pick up something.

"In the last 10 or 15 years they've been so successful at that club and playing in matches at the highest level.

"Players in that kind of environment pick up a great knowledge of the game.

"And subsequently they're more likely to be offered a coaching job in the future.

"If you don't learn anything from Ferguson there's something wrong with you.

"I certainly have and I've tried to take my experience into the Lyn job.

"I also learned a lot from Kenny Dalglish, as well as guys such as Ray Harford, Steve McClaren and Brian Kidd.

"I'm enjoying management. It means football is still a huge part of my life.

"When you stop playing it's the next best thing and it's great to work with the Lyn players every day.

"You should never say never in this game and everyone with ambitions will look to reach the highest level possible in football.

"But I'm enjoying my work here at the moment.

"Working in Norway is similar to the everyday graft in England.

"The job description is pretty much the same."

Berg's Lyn side faced up to Viking Stavanger last night and new Rangers striker Andrius Velicka.

The big Lithuanian will arrive at Ibrox on July 14 after sealing a £1million move.

Henning reckons his power might be ideal for Gers' style of play next season.

He said: "He was just settling into a new team at Viking when the Rangers offer came up.

"So it's difficult for me to say how he'll do at Ibrox.

"He looks big and strong so he should handle the physical side of the SPL."

Berg spent the last season of his career in Glasgow when Alex McLeish signed him.

He failed to win a trophy at Gers but admits he still keeps track of their progress under Walter Smith.

He said: "I have fond memories of my time there.

"Once you play for Rangers, you always remember it.

"I saw most of their European matches last season.

"I was impressed with their results because it's not easy to perform in Europe.

"They did well to get to the UEFA Cup Final even if they did it with a specific style."