Mike Tullberg brings FC Midtjylland into the spotlight with strong performances. The ex-BVB coach is currently causing a sensation nationwide.
Mike Tullberg has proven himself – in the middle of the spotlight of European club football.
The 39-year-old, who was still on the sidelines of Borussia Dortmund’s U23s a few months ago, is currently leading FC Midtjylland to the top of the Danish Superliga and is also making waves in the Europa League.
Mike Tullberg is causing a sensation in Denmark
What perhaps not everyone in Dortmund would have thought possible is now happening in his home country: Tullberg is delivering at an absolute top level.
Midtjylland’s success story
In the league, Midtjylland is in first place after 15 games with 32 points. His team is also shining internationally: In the Europa League, the club leads the table ahead of SC Freiburg – and that without a loss of points after the 4th matchday. The numbers are impressive, but even more impressive is the way Tullberg achieves them.
“Everything Mike Tullberg touches at the moment turns to gold,” said the Danish broadcaster TV2 recently. And indeed: his tactical clarity and his courage to make early, often game-changing substitutions characterize the new Midtjylland.
When he substituted three players at half-time against Viborg and Aral Simsir provided two assists within seven minutes shortly afterwards, it was a symbol of the current success. “Project Tullberg can become gold on the heath,” judges TV2 – and hits the nail on the head.
Tullberg’s clear line
Despite the euphoria, the Dane himself remains demonstrably focused on the essentials. “There’s no point in looking at a table,” he said recently in an interview: “I also don’t spend time reading what’s written. I spend my time preparing the players for the next game.”
Sporting director Jacob Larsen is enthusiastic: “The timing is just right for both Mike and FC Midtjylland. He works according to a football philosophy that suits our way of playing.” Tullberg brings experience from “an environment that brings players and coaches to the top of European football”.
“I had six instructive years in Dortmund”
Tullberg shaped the BVB’s youth academy for six years, trained talents and won the German championship with the U19s in 2022. In 101 competitive games, he averaged 2.44 points. He briefly coached Borussia Dortmund’s Bundesliga team, leading them out of a crisis with two wins and a draw.
“I had six instructive years in Dortmund,” he says in retrospect in a club statement. “It wasn’t an easy decision to leave the club, but I felt that the time was right to accelerate my career,” said Tullberg.
With the move back home, Tullberg made good on his announcement. Despite a bumpy start – a 0-1 defeat in his debut against Nordsjaelland – his team literally exploded. Five wins followed, including the highly regarded 2:1 against Nottingham Forest. And the development continues: under Tullberg, Midtjylland is not only efficient, but also increasingly dominant in terms of play, regardless of the opponent.
Mike Tullberg on a successful course with FC Midtjylland
Emotions on the sidelines
After the 2-0 win against Viborg FF, his first league win as head coach of FC Midtjylland, Mike Tullberg once again showed his emotional side. Similar to his partly celebrated, partly irritably received cheering explosion after BVB’s 2-1 win in Heidenheim in February, the 39-year-old unleashed his joy in front of the fan curve. With clenched fists and loud shouts, he whipped up the fans.
Tullberg’s actions also caused discussions in the social media in Denmark. While some celebrate Tullberg’s unfiltered passion, others find his expression exaggerated.
If Tullberg’s high continues, it would be proof that he is more than just a talent developer. Midtjylland sees him as a long-term builder – it’s not for nothing that his contract runs until 2029. And the coach himself? He says little about big goals, but a lot about hard work. That suits his path.
If Tullberg continues like this, “Project Tullberg” will actually turn into gold.