When English manager Laura Kaminski was offered the SK Brann helm in January, she seized the chance.
She leapt at the chance to work overseas, sharpen her tactics, and now eyes a Europa Cup quarter‑final slot next Wednesday.
Ten months on, she’s celebrating a league‑cup double in her dream first season.
“I can’t even go to the supermarket right now; fans keep stopping me to congratulate me, and it feels amazing.”
“I’m over the moon, and clinching the title before the final match lets us breathe. I thought it would go right to the wire.”
“It’s been a fierce campaign. I’ve loved every minute. Our fans turned the night into a party as we returned from Oslo.”
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Kaminski called the year “hectic” after swapping London for Norway and leaving family behind for Brann.
The English coach had spent more than a year at Crystal Palace, guiding them to WSL promotion in 2024.
She was dismissed in February 2025 after a tough top‑flight season where Palace struggled against better‑funded rivals.
Nonetheless, she’s seen as one of England’s brightest female managers, now bolstered by her Norwegian stint. For my money, her rapid rise proves English women can thrive abroad.
“I’ve learned a lot. It’s been chaotic – I’ve taken 65 flights in 11 months – exhausting, but what an experience!” Kaminski added.
“Traveling up to the Arctic Circle for away games in freezing snow, then enjoying sunny days in Bergen.”
“Palace was totally different to Brann. Here the club expects to win the Toppserien because they believe they’ve invested the most.”
“That’s the real challenge. The WSL is dominated by the big clubs, so at Palace we didn’t always expect three points against the giants.”
Kaminski admits the distance from loved ones is hard and sacrifices are required, but Brann’s trophies make it worthwhile.
She’s also gathered fresh ideas for her philosophy after tasting Norway’s high‑risk, attack‑first style.
“Norwegian sides almost guarantee a goal against them; they press relentlessly and never shy from attacking.”
“It was a shock at first, seeing those tactics when I arrived. I was a bit alarmed by what they were doing.”
“But facing those teams and their press is tough; it’s given me plenty of fuel for the future.”
“Players here are incredibly fit, fast and athletic. No wonder big clubs are scouting them.”
Female coaches in men’s football ‘not out of reach’
After a season north, Kaminski feels she’s become a stronger coach.
She logged over 15 years as an assistant across WSL 2, the WSL and with England’s U‑19s before her Palace spell.
With European experience now on her résumé, she hopes more doors will open.
“I’d say I now have a well‑rounded skill set for top‑level management. Right now my focus is Brann and a new chapter,” she said.
“Only two tiers in England are fully professional. I needed European exposure, something I couldn’t get at home.”
“At the time I was talking to a few clubs, but the projects didn’t match what I wanted.”
“I knew joining Brann meant coaching elite players. I wanted to compete at the highest level and was desperate for silverware.”
Kaminski urges fellow English female coaches to venture abroad, noting limited chances in the WSL.
UK Coaching reported in October that the total number of female coaches has slipped by 6 % in recent years.
She says she’s concerned about their future and hopes English men’s football will create more roles soon.
“I left my country to claim what I believed I deserved and earned at that level,” Kaminski said.
“There are plenty of women capable of coaching men’s teams. It’s not out of reach, and I’d be open to it.”
“Currently, there isn’t enough consideration given to female managers who are fully qualified.”
“The foundations exist for women to take the plunge, but is football ready? I’m not sure.”