Jordan Neuman takes over as Vienna Vikings head coach after Gold Bowl triumph
Fresh off winning the inaugural AFLE Gold Bowl, the Vienna Vikings are making a significant change to their coaching structure. Chris Calaycay, one of the longest-serving and most decorated figures in the club’s history, steps aside as head coach and moves into a new role as Director of Sport. His successor is someone who knows the organization well: Jordan Neuman.
A new chapter for a championship club
Calaycay has been part of the Vikings organization for many years, joining the coaching staff in 2004 as Defensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach before taking on the Head Coach role in 2007. Under his leadership the Vikings won the first AFLE Gold Bowl and he was named Coach of the Year at the AFLE Honors 2026. The decision to move him into a broader sporting role is a sign of the club’s ambition rather than a farewell, keeping one of European football’s most experienced minds at the heart of the organization.
Calaycay shared his thoughts on the transition:
„I am very proud to hand over the Head Coach position to Jordan. I have complete confidence in him, and I believe he is the person who can make this transition seamless while maintaining the culture and standards we have built here, and taking the Vikings to even higher standards of excellence. I am excited about this new role and very grateful to our owner for giving me the opportunity to take the next step in my career and in football management. For me, the timing is right. I have spent many years on the sideline, and I am looking forward to using that experience in a broader role that allows me to contribute to the entire sporting organization and help shape the future of the Vikings.“
Full circle for Neuman
Jordan Neuman is no stranger to the Vikings. He was part of the club between 2011 and 2013 before going on to leave his mark across European and German football. As head coach of the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns in the German Football League he established himself as one of the most respected coaches on the continent, before taking his talents to Stuttgart Surge where he built an impressive head coaching record over more than four years. Known as an offensive mastermind with a particular gift for developing quarterbacks and elevating their game, Neuman returned to Vienna ahead of the 2026 season, earned the Assistant Coach of the Year award at the AFLE Honors, and now takes the top job at the club he first joined over a decade ago.
Neuman spoke about what the appointment means to him:
„In 2011 the Vikings gave me my first professional coaching opportunity. It feels right that this has come full circle to be able to lead this franchise as its new Head Coach. When this opportunity arose, it was important for me to understand the vision behind the new structure, and I believe we have created something truly unique. I know this organization, I know the culture and I know what it takes to compete at the highest level in Europe. I’m excited about the opportunity to lead this team. It is also a great honor to continue working with Chris Calaycay in this new structure. We have a tremendous amount of respect for each other, and I believe that relationship will be the foundation of our continued success.“
A structure built for the future
With Calaycay moving into the Director of Sport role and Neuman stepping up as Head Coach, the Vikings are keeping their most important voices within the organization while creating a structure designed to sustain their success beyond the first championship. The foundation they built together in 2026 remains intact. The next chapter is already underway.
