Optima Football

Optima Football Consulting is helping professional football clubs develop in a sustainable way with strategic planning.

Optima Football Blog

A personal space sharing thoughts, opinions & news from the founder.

2022

Joining Right To Dream - as Group Head of Football

I’m excited to announce the next journey in my career as I have joined the very proactive, forward thinking organisation ‘Right to Dream’ (RTD) as Group Head...

11 years abroad in a complex World

2012-2023: The end of an era

Shanghai SIPG lay the foundations for decades of Chinese domination Permalink

Article from goal.com about the long-term planning and building of a sustainable club from scratch.

Reached the top in China Permalink

A story in a large Danish newspaper about winning the championship with Shanghai SIPG and now aiming to help other clubs develop the same way.

Playing today, looking at the future Permalink

An article about the development of a football strategy, a style of play and a talent development blueprint. Available in English and Portuguese.

How China is spending billions to conquer world soccer Permalink

Article from bloomberg.com about the development of Chinese football and building a league that can compete with the best in Europe.

Football clubs give too much power to managers Permalink

Article from goal.com about the lack of a clear strategy, philosophy, and long-term planning in football clubs - including the big ones.

Chinese Super League developing as Shanghai SIPG grow Europe links Permalink

An article from ESPN about crafting a vision, THE SIPG WAY, to build a sustainable club with homegrown players.

Coming home to Denmark

Coming home: Sometimes in life there are moments and situations where things are much bigger than yourself. Moments where a choice is not really a choice, bu...

Time to reflect

While enjoying my holiday from (mostly) sunny Denmark, it’s an interesting period in our life leaving Al Jazira Club and the UAE.

Official: Leaving Al Jazira Club

A few weeks ago, I handed in my resignation to the board of Al Jazira Club. It has been two very interesting and challenging years where we described and des...

Winner of the UAE Super Cup 2021/2022

It is always a privilege to be part of a journey where you can help a club forward and add to its history. On January 7th 2022, we won the UAE Super Cup, and...

Happy New Year - ask yourself the right questions

2021 has been a strange year in many ways. The world was close getting back to normal, but now it seems big again and challenges lie ahead of us before norma...

2021

Statement: Cooperation with Escuela Universitaria Real Madrid

“How hard can it be?”

Statement: Cooperation with University of Liverpool

A proud moment as our book ‘How hard can it be?’ now officially is part of the curriculum at the University of Liverpool _& University of Liverpool Manag...

‘How hard can it be?’ in The Athletic Permalink

A proud moment for Dan Hammer and myself as one of the best and most serious sports media The Athletic has done this in-depth article around our football str...

Free chapter from ‘How hard can it be?’ Permalink

In cooperation with media OffThePitch.com we are proud to offer a free chapter of our new football strategic book ‘How hard can it be? At OffThePitch it is n...

Forbes: Strategies from the Premier League - ‘How hard can it be?’ Permalink

In our football strategic book ‘How hard can it be?’ we use many examples from the world of football.In this article Forbes use our book to analyze two curre...

‘How hard can it be?’ - NOW available in English

After a solid year on the Scandinavian market, Dan Hammer and I are pleased to launch our football strategic book ‘How hard can it be?’ in an international l...

E-book coming up: ‘How hard can it be?’

We have now entered August 2021 and end of this month, we (Dan Hammer and me) will launch our football strategic book ‘How hard can it be?’ in English as an ...

The future looks bright Permalink

We had a good season with our new club strategy at Al Jazira Club and for us the future looks even better having a big potential in our club and 1.team squad...

Book review: ‘How hard can it be?’ Permalink

We are still in the process of translating our Danish book (‘Hvor svært kan det være’?) into English (‘How hard can it be?’). This week, we had a very nice b...

‘Sustainable Champions’ of the Arabian Gulf League

A very proud moment for us all at Al Jazira Club this week when we secured the league title of the Arabian Gulf League 2020/2021-season.

Align your club from the board room to the pitch

As my consultancy company Optima Football has researched and analysed in previous years; football club’s often lack a long term strategic plan and as well mi...

‘How hard can it be’? - case of Spurs

In our (w/Dan Hammer) football strategic book ‘How hard can it be’? (FYI: still only available in Danish - English version in the making) we use Tottenham as...

‘How hard can it be?’ - our book is coming in English Permalink

We have now started the process to get our Danish football strategic book ‘Hvor svært kan det være?’ (‘How hard can it be?’) translated to English. We announ...

Interview with Arab News Permalink

We are building and implementing a very interesting project in the Gulf at Al Jazira Club trying to use a sustainable model that will lift the club into the ...

Interview on how to build a sustainable club Permalink

An interview (in Italian & English) on how to build a sustainable club and our vision for the current project at Al Jazira Club in the UAE:

“We aim to be successful and sustainable at the same time” Permalink

An article about our new Al Jazira Club strategy:

2020

A new year - with new possibilities

2020 has in many ways been a sad and strange year for all of us. Covid-19 has changed our way of living and more seriously damaged people in many ways. We we...

Launch of new book: How hard can it be?

In one month (November 25th), my new book (in Danish) ‘Hvor svært kan det være’? (How hard can it be?) will be launched in Denmark.

Pione Sisto’s story is, in reality, a cry for help

Published May 2020 (in Politiken):

New job: Director of Football at Al Jazira Club

I’m very pleased and excited to announce the next chapter of my career as I have signed with Al Jazira Club (UAE) becoming Director of Football.

Another demotivated talent - we must help them

Danish media Politiken did three interviews recent weeks with Danish international, Pione Sisto, about his tough period, demotivation and struggle to reach h...

Inspiring the next gen

Whenever possible, I enjoy ‘giving something back’ trying to inspire others helping young people to find their path or increase their internal motivation.

How hard can it be? A podcast on strategies in football

In October 2020 our new book “Hvor svært kan det være?” (“How hard can it be”?) will be published - in the beginning only in Denmark as well in Danish.

Wu Lei - RCD Espanyol & the Chinese link

I contributed to this interesting article from The Athletic by Dermot Corrigan about RCD Espanyol, the Chinese link & Wu Lei as a brand of their organiza...

Interview with Forbes on sustainable models

I had a talk & interview recently with media Forbes on how football as an industry can create better & more sustainable club models.

Launch of new book

Today, we (ex FC Copenhagen-CEO, Dan Hammer and I) are excited and proud to announce the official launch of our new book “Hvor svært kan det være?” (“How har...

“Two club models are heavily challenged” Permalink

The COVID 19-situation has challenged football as well, and when analysing the industry there are especially two type of club models, who can face a serious ...

Football Strategy Webinar

This past week, I had the pleasure to join and speak at a webinar arranged by the Icelandic Coaching Association.

Danish talents are not being used - articles

In recent weeks Danish football magazine, Tipsbladet, made an interesting analysis on how many minutes home grown players are given in the Danish Super Leagu...

“Don’t waste a good crisis”

Different types of crisis will occur from time to time. The current one makes football not important at all, but as an industry we still have to prepare for ...

Podcast on talent: Born, made or developed? Permalink

In this podcast with Danish media, Playmaker, we examine the historic debate on the understanding of a talent. Are we born, made or developed into being a ta...

Podcast: How to build a football club in 2020? Permalink

I had the pleasure last week to share the vision of Optima Football in the strategic podcast by Mr. Richard Clarke, where we discussed our ‘sustainable model...

2019

Firing frequencies in football

Football is a low-scoring game where the winner takes it all. Therefore, we become outcome biased and tend to only look and judge a head coach on the results.

Interview & podcast with Playmaker

These recent weeks, I have done a column and lately a podcast with the media Playmaker. The column regarding the understanding of talent - born or developed?

Isomorphism in Football

Welcome to Optima Football Academy

Born, made, developed? A discussion on talent

A free chapter from our book

Optima Football launches new academy

As part of the vision to explore, challenge and develop the world of football, five ambitious people will be given an internal education and foundation to he...

New Transfer Window reality – clubs take back control

Another summer transfer window in the world of football has now passed and strategically it was interesting to observe a larger skepticism and hesitation fro...

75% of all clubs are strategically unhealthy

Professional football clubs are in general unhealthy. At a strategic level. Over time. This is the conclusion after a minor empirical field study, interviewi...

Interview on Skysports

‘Gareth Bale to China’ has become one of the big summer transfer window 2019-stories, and I have been giving insights from my 7 years in Chinese football to ...

Interview on the development of football in China

As the Women’s World Cup 2019 has started, I did an interview with German media DW about the recent development of football in China.

Optima Football joins Brondby IF

Optima Football Consulting is proud to be joining Danish club, Brondby IF, as a technical consultant and advisor.

Skysports-interview on Wu Lei & Espanyol

The first Chinese player to score in a Top 5-league in the past 11 years, Wu Lei, is now a very popular figure - not only in Spain at his club RCD Espanyol -...

Optima Football speaks with OffThePitch.com

I’m very proud to be part of some of the first content at the new media site Off The Pitch. An international media site focusing on football business news.

Interview on the Chinese transfer market situation Permalink

New football business media, Off the pitch, did a talk with me last week on the current status on the transfers situation in Chinese football. The interview ...

Solskjaer & Wilczek: State of the obvious – or?

Are we making the right decisions future wise based on feelings and biased short-term results or should we approach ‘expensive calls’ more analytical?

A dangerous development for football

I did an interview this past week in relation to a report from Cies showing how the unpredictability in top football has decreased massively in the past 10 y...

“Football clubs are giving too much power to managers - Ex-Shanghai SIPG technical director”

This past week, I had an interesting talk and interview with the international football site goal.com about my new consultancy business in London and my idea...

Transfer Window Analysis

The January 2019 transfer window has now closed through out most of Europe and there are a few interesting elements to analyse:

Promising start for Optima Football

It is always difficult to disrupt an industry changing old habits and challenging well-established business cultures.

2018

“I want to create something bigger than myself”

Reflecting about the past thinking about the future has been my December. And I’m now more clear and ready to move into the next phase of my career.

Help lifting the Chinese society

As one of the private investor, I’m very proud and excited to announce not only our new business-project, but at the same time a meaningful and social-projec...

Interviews on 7 years in China

I have been asked to do several interviews in the past weeks in Denmark as I’m home for my holiday.

Time to reflect

I have now after nearly 7 years in China - operating in Chinese football - returned for a holiday period in Denmark.

The Future Game

How can we predict the future? How do we analyze what football will look like by 2025? To create long term succession planning this is the main task for club...

Interview regarding my future

As I’m leaving Shanghai SIPG F.C. at the end of this year, I had a talk with Danish media BT (sporten.dk) regarding my future.

Iranian podcast interview Permalink

A while ago, I did an interview with the Iranian football podcast ‘Gol Bezan’ about my nearly 7 years in Asia & Asian football to discuss the development...

Official statement: Leaving Shanghai SIPG FC

I have today informed the president of Shanghai SIPG F.C. that I don’t wish to renew my contract and therefore will be leaving the club when my current cont...

New Advisory-roles

I have in the recent period had several talks and offers from interesting projects around the World, and I’m pleased to announce two new advisory-roles. Both...

‘The achieving-mentality’ prevailed at the World Cup

Football’s offensive tendencies and development were confirmed during the World Cup 2018, where the ‘achieving-mentality’ won over the ‘avoid-mentality’, but...

Interview: Use of data in football

I have in the last 10 years or so worked with data trying to study and explore how to implement data efficiently in the World of football.

World Cup 2018 columns

During the 2018 World Cup in Russia, I’m hired as a ‘football expert writer’ for Danish media ‘Politiken’.

Football expert during the World Cup 2018

The World Cup 2018 has begun and working inside the football industry; it’s an amazing period and possibility to study and analyse our beloved game. The best...

An education for life

It’s my ‘China-anniversary’ these weeks. Exactly 6 years ago, I arrived in China with two suitcases, a lot of hope, dreams - and a bit of fear.

Vision - Strategy - Philosophy - Methodology - Recruitment - Talent Development

In professional sports as well as in the World of business, as a company/organisation/club you need to create:

“We rise by lifting others”

As a major part of my passion for developing people, teams and concepts, I have done several key note speeches the last 5 years.

How to manage to unmanageable?

Over the recent years, I have been hired by business groups, companies and for different events to do a speech on my 6 years operating in China. Not specific...

The biased game

The DNA of football is to win. Especially in the professional side of the game. The world of football is ‘black or white’; there are winners and losers - not...

Interview with The Financial Times

The 2018-football season in China are ahead of us and this past week, I did an interview with The Financial Times to discuss the current status and future pr...

Interviews on club strategy & challenges in China

I did a couple of interviews this past weeks. One regarding our club strategy and focus on youth development and one with a Danish radio show called “Kina-sn...

Set goals, targets or not?

What’s your motivation? What’s your drive? And which experiences in your career do you remember in particular as meaningful? These questions can guide you to...

2017

3 years anniversary - a time to reflect

By coincidence through a LinkedIn-update, I realized it’s my ‘3 years anniversary’ these days at Shanghai SIPG F.C. In football - that’s like a lifetime peri...

To achieve or to avoid?

A common saying is; there are no right or wrong in football. Another saying is: the winner is always right.

Meeting the Crown Prince of Denmark

This past week, I was invited to the south of China by the Danish embassy in China as of the official ‘Denmark Day’ took place on September 26th.

Short video from Shanghai & SIPG F.C.

A few month ago, I had a visit from Rabona Magazine and the journalist Michael Da Silva, who was producing a short documentary on Chinese football ahead of o...

Joining the Advisory Board of Tonsser

After months with talks and planning; it’s now official; I’m joining the Advisory Board at the booming international football APP, Tonsser.

Foreign coaches, homegrown rules & China’s effort to develop own talent

I had a talk with Planetfootball on youth development and the future focus for Chinese football to reach an international competitive level.

Is there any substance to China’s football revolution?

The journalist Michael Da Silva visited me recently in Shanghai as part of his trip in China to explore the work and progression of Chinese football.

Daily Mail on Chinese football

I had a visit from the English newspaper, The Daily Mail, this past week in Shanghai for them to understand the project and phase of Chinese football.

Berlingske Business: Article on Chinese football

The Danish media Berlingske had in their Sunday-edition an article in the business section on the current status of Chinese football including my experiences...

Succession planning requires a strategy

After visiting more than 20 top clubs in the past four years and in general developing my own strategy, philosophy & methodology in the past 10 years; I’...

Article - Bloomberg Business

In the recent months during my traveling, I had some interesting meetings - among them in Beijing with the journalist Tariq Panja from Bloomberg Media (Ameri...

The value of talent

A chapter from my book (in cooperation with Helle Hedegaard Hein) “Når talent forpligter” (Great talent requires great leadership):

Official publishing of our book

Tomorrow, on May 30, our Danish book “Når talent forpligter” will be officially published and ready to buy for the public.

Book to be published on May 30

My Danish book, “Når talent forpligter”, I’m writing in cooperation with leadership and motivational researcher & Ph.D., Helle Hedegaard Hein, is soon on...

Book ready soon

I’ve for the past 3 years been working in a field study turning into a book-project together with the Danish reasearcher and presenter, Helle Hedegaard Hein,...

Newsweek-interview on the development of Chinese football

I had several talks with Newsweek these past weeks on a bigger story from their hands on the development of Chinese football. For me personally; I see the va...

Interview with The New York Times

The Chinese Super League 2017-season is starting this weekend and the entire World of football is now following the development in China.

Goal.com-article: The future for SIPG

Working abroad in a fast moving country like China has been and still is a fantastic experience. A few weeks back goal.com visited me for an interview also a...

Cultural intelligence strategy

In general, I believe you need a strategy for most things in life to control, evaluate, and succeed whatever you are doing or handling.

2016

Modern football tendencies

This past week, I was invited to the Danish media, Mediano, to discuss modern football tendencies along side the Technical Director of FCN, Flemming Pedersen...

Inspiration-trip 2016

As we speak; I’m in London attending the LEADERS Sport Performance Summit. It’s a 2-day course for CEO’s, leaders and coaches and as always very inspiring + ...

Joining BBC World of Football

Yesterday, I was interviewed for the ‘BBC World of Football’ podcast regarding the development of the Chinese national team, their current bad run of results...

The SIPG Coaching Seminar 2.0

This past week, I hosted the Shanghai SIPG Coaching Seminar 2.0. We had all our youth coaches in Shanghai for 2-days moving into ‘phase 2’ of THE SIPG WAY - ...

Cultural intelligence-interview with LEADERS

I recently had a very interesting talk & discussion with some good people from LEADERS Institute about how to manage abroad and in a different culture.

Podcast with Danish media - Mediano

I was in Denmark last week due to the FIFA-dates & our short game-break to catch some Danish Super League games and also found time to join the Danish me...

Article with ESPN about ‘The SIPG Way’

In the beginning of 2016, I helped our club create ‘THE SIPG WAY’ - a talent development strategy, so we all work in the same direction and focus on the play...

Insights on Chinese football

I had a chat with the journalist James Montague, who was doing a longer piece on the development and current status in Chinese football. The article is very ...

Interview with Manchester United-TV

Several European top teams are in China these weeks on Pre-Season Tour, & I did an interview with Manchester United-TV as they play in Shanghai tomorrow ...

Official: Hulk signs for our club

It’s a big step and a massive day for our young club, Shanghai SIPG F.C. when our General Manager, Mr. Sui, today announced the signing of the Brazilian top ...

Analysis of the Tactical Tendencies 2016 EURO - 2.0

We are now done with all the group stage matches in France and it’s time for another analysis (2.0) and a deeper look at the most interesting tendencies from...

Analysis of the Tactical Tendencies 2016 EURO - 1.0

In my cooperation with the Danish media, Mediano, I’ve done my first 1.0 analysis of the ‘Tactical Tendencies’ from the current EURO 2016.

EURO 2016: Time to find the ‘new tendencies’

This week is the official kick off & start of the EURO 2016 in France. I’m as always looking forward to a lot of good football and interesting games comi...

BBC-story on Chinese football

A few weeks back, I had a visit from the English BBC World News making a story about the development in Chinese football. They visited me and my Shanghai SIP...

Blog: The Chinese Powerhouse

I’ve worked together with the ‘Player Development Project’ for a while and recently they asked me to do a piece on my 4 years working in Chinese football loo...

Seminar regarding the future of Chinese football

On May 26-27th, I’m invited as a panel speaker to the football seminar / summit 2016 in Shanghai, where I will go as representant from my club Shanghai SIPG ...

Chinese football is a long term project

There is no doubt the ‘Chinese Dream’ about creating a football powerhouse is a long term project. I have seen and heard a lot of Western media not being sur...

Busy times in Shanghai: CL, CSL, U23 & new football schools

It’s been a while since I’ve found time to write in here, but been busy lately.

The SIPG Way - article on our interesting project

As part of my tasks here at Shanghai SIPG F.C., I’m trying to develop our club pattern “The SIPG Way”, where we develop our club philosophy, methodology and ...

Joining BBC, ESPN & Goal.com

The January 2016 transfer window in China has reached the headlines all over the World of football and the international media have started to make an intere...

Chinese dominance on transfers: The New Reality

The first month of the new year is always related to transfer news from all over the World as the regulated transfer window officially opens. But this Januar...

Very interesting 2016-season at Shanghai SIPG F.C.

We are already far into our pre-season with both the 1. team and the Development Squad and in general the 2016 season will be very interesting for us in Shan...

New contract with Shanghai SIPG FC

I’m very proud and happy to announce that I’ve extended my contract with my current club, Shanghai SIPG FC, for the next 3 years. The SIPG-project is very in...

Pre-Season in Spain & South Korea

The Pre-Season for the Chinese Super League 2016 has begun, and I’ve just been 10 days with the 1. team in Spain - at Gran Canary Island. This period is most...

Executive Board member at Memphis F.C.

A new football club has been started in Tennessee, USA by some very inspiring and proactive people, and therefore I was keen on joining the board of the club...

2015

Leadership: The importance of ‘Cultural Intelligence’

A few weeks ago, I participated in an interesting webinar discussing cultural intelligence in sports. This is obviously an area, I’ve dealt with in my daily ...

European inspiration & networking tour 2015

As we speak; I’m on my yearly inspiration, networking & scouting trip in Europe. This is a very important part of my development, so I always make sure t...

CSL 2015 season finished: Silver and CL

Our season in China is now finished, and we can be satisfied reaching our goal with silver (number 2) and qualification to the Asian Champions League in 2016...

Visiting Singapore - networking & football

I’m in Singapore these days as we have a few days off in China, so I wanted to catch up with some network, arrange a few meetings and see matches here in Sin...

Interview with 4-4-2

The past week, I did an interview with the football magazine & online site, “4-4-2” about our season in China and an insight on how we work in terms of r...

Dontt: What about motivation?

I have this past week again done my “Dontt” - this time about motivation and how I think & hope we will see more focus on this aspect in the future in ou...

UEFA PRO-license completed

I’m very proud to announce that I have completed and passed the UEFA PRO coaching license course at the Danish FA this past week. 18 very interesting and ins...

Interview on the future of Chinese football

I was interviewed this week as the FC Bayern Munich is here in China with Real Madrid, AC Milan and Inter, so the attention is on China and in the article we...

The Chinese transfer perspective

A transfer window is among the most interesting periods in football, where the clubs can buy, sell or loan players, and it’s all about getting a stronger squ...

New blog at Danish media

For several years in the past, I have been a ‘blogger’ at the famous Danish football magazine TIPSBLADET - and now I’m back! My first blog is already online ...

Season Analysis: When the league table lies

Football is all about winning or? Not if you wish to continue winning By Mads Davidsen in cooperation with 21st Club (www.21stclub.com)

Interview about my year in China

I’m interviewed this week in the Danish football magazine Tipsbladet for a chat about my (football season) year in China:

UEFA PRO assignment: How important is the feedback culture?

I have just finished my UEFA PRO coaching license major assignment. A big step towards getting my license later this year and I’m quite satisfied with the as...

Radio interview - the football boom in China

The Danish radio station P1 had a story about the new focus on football in China, and I was interviewed to give my view on the growing sport out here & t...

Joined Danish radio football podcast

During my very short trip to Denmark last week to follow my UEFA Pro license coaching course, I had to wait half a day for the next flight to Shanghai, so I ...

Interview about the development of Chinese football

A very detailed and interesting story about the development of Chinese football was recently made by “These Football Times”, and I was lucky to be a part of ...

Interview regarding foreign players in China

A lot of players from Scandinavia are coming to China in these years and lately a Danish international was rumored to the Chinese Super League, so Danish nat...

Interview with Danish newspaper Politiken

China is number two in the World in this recent transfer window when it comes to spending, so the football is really moving forward out here. I was interview...

Interview with GOAL about Chinese football

During the Asian Cup 2015, I was working for a Chinese media and the English website GOAL did an article with me regarding my view on Chinese football during...

AFC 2015: China - Australia analysis

Unfortunately, China is now out of the Asian Cup 2015 after a 0-2 defeat against Australia. The host nation scored after a set piece and had the individual q...

AFC 2015: China analysis & Australia preview

China analysis vs North Korea As I wrote in my previous Asian Cup column; The head coach of China, Alain Perrin, choose a combination of resting some players...

AFC 2015: China - Uzbekistan analysis

First of all; what a night for Chinese football! China is for the first time in 10 years ready for the quarter finals in the Asian Cup. And this is after jus...

AFC 2015: China - Saudi Arabia analysis

We have now seen all the teams in action at the Asian Cup 2015 and so far the favorites has done well and secured an important win in the first game of the g...

Asian Cup 2015 preview

The AFC Asian Cup this January is obviously of massive interest in all of Asia. And after a disappointing World Cup 2014 for all of the Asian teams, we will ...

Follow these players in 2015

The Danish newspaper BT asked me to point out a Top 10 of interesting players to follow in 2015.

2014

In Danish Radio Show - Fodbold FM

This past week in Copenhagen, I attended the Danish Football Radio Show - “Fodbold FM”.

2-year contract signed with Shanghai SIPG

I’m very proud and happy to annouce that my future now is in place. I have signed a 2-year deal with the upcoming club in China, Shanghai SIPG. I will contin...

Holiday and the future

The Chinese football season ended on November 3rd with a 3-1 win at Jiangsu, and we are generally extremely satisfied with our results and performances reach...

Column about the future of the striker

In Danish football magazine, Tipsbladet, I recently did a column showing my analysis and view on the future of the striker and this crucial position. What ar...

Interview in Guangzhou - in Danish week magazine

Some weeks ago the Danish weekly magazine ‘Weekendavisen’ came to Guangzhou to visit me and have a talk about my time in China and more specific regarding Ch...

Interview in Chinese magazine

A magazine in China did an interview with me regarding my work as coach, analyst and scout in Guangzhou R&F F.C. + my view on Chinese football after almo...

Column in Danish newspaper Politiken

On Sunday, I did a column together with lector at Aarhus University, Kristian Thomsen, regarding the lack of pressure in Danish talent development. We think ...

Radio show: Football FM

This past week, I got an invitation to join the Danish football radio show, “Fodbold FM”, where we discuss football for 2 hours live in the radio at channel ...

Interview in Danish radio show

Last week, the Danish fotball radio show, ‘Fodbold FM’, did an interview with me regarding the matchfixing-case in Denmark.

To be a Prima Donna

I am a prima donna with a slightly touch of being introverted. I found out some years ago when I met the Danish researcher and Ph.D. lecturer, Helle Hedegaar...

Interview with Danish football magazine

Last week an interview with me and the Danish football magazine Tipsbladet was published and now ready online.

World Cup 2014 tendencies

The biggest and most interesting football event is now over and it’s time to analyze and look back at the tournament and the tactical related tendencies we m...

World Cup expert at Chinese media

I have been hired as a football expert at the famous Chinese media HUPU during the World Cup 2014 in Brazil.

Interview: The tactics of Van Gaal

In this interview, Danish newspaper BT asked me about my view on why Holland did well in the group stage of the World Cup 2014.

WC Round 2-3: Don’t keep the ball

We are now in the final 16 of the World Cup and my analysis and stats had a huge step up this past week as I went for my UEFA Pro license course in Copenhage...

Radio interview: My challenge in China

For two years, I have been living in Mainland China, and it has been and still is a fantastic journey. I’ve learned so much about culture, people, myself and...

WC Round 1: The key of the penalty box

The World Cup has finished the first round of the group stage, and I’m excited about the offensive minded concepts and the fact we are talking about the offe...

Interview about World Cup player - Park Jong-Woo

In this article from Danish website bold.dk, I talk about our World Cup player Park Jong-Woo, who is in the South Korean national team squad. A great player ...

Interview - regarding Laudrup and Ilso

This past week our club released the Danish player Ken Ilso. Therefore the Danish media wanted my comment on why we had to let Ken go. You can read the artic...

Why and how to use statistics?

The World Cup 2014 is almost starting, and I will during the WC write some columns and make some analysis, and this is the first one - a pre-analysis.

Radio interview with Danish P1

Today, I had the pleasure to do an interview with the Danish radio station P1. We talked about the development of football in Asia and China. I’m very please...

What is possession - and how to train it?

Last week, I had some very interesting days in Nyon at my UEFA PRO coaching course with the Danish, Croatian, Belarus and Romanian delegation as well. We had...

Status in China - 2014 goal setting - and future thoughts

I’m in a very busy period with a lot of travelling and match every week until the World Cup break. We had a solid start in the Chinese Super League with curr...

Signing Danish player Ken Ilsø

Just before the transfer window closed, my Chinese club Guangzhou R&F signed the Danish player Ken Ilsø. This was of an interesting media story in Denmar...

Training camp - Chinese season coming up

As we speak, I’m in Turkey at our training camp 2014 preseason tour before the start of the Chinese Super League (CSL) 2014. We are here for two weeks to foc...

Interview with Danish FA (DBU)

In January, I started attending the UEFA PRO-license coaching course in Copenhagen, Denmark at the Danish FA (DBU). This is the last step in the internationa...

Interview in Danish magazine Euroman

The Danish magazine Euroman did a short interview with me this week regarding me position and job in Guangzhou, China working with famous head coach Sven Gör...

Another visit at the Evergrande Football Academy

Today I made a visit for the second time at the Evergrande Football Academy about 75km from down town Guangzhou. Even I work for the rival club of the city, ...

Official announcement: Davidsen signs for Chinese club

I’m very happy to announce that I now officially have signed a 1-year contract with the professional Chinese club Guangzhou R&F F.C. The contract was mut...

Radio show: Beyond The Pitch

I was very lucky in late December to be invited to the great and famous American radio show - ‘Beyond The Pitch’ to discuss football and the development of f...

Radio show: Football FM

Just before my departure to China in January 2014, I was invited to the Danish radio show “Football FM” on the Danish broadcast Radio 24/7, where we discuss ...

2013

What is good leadership?

In this article (in Danish), I discuss how to be a good leader/coach and how to understand, respect, and develop your employees together with yourself:

Radio show: Football FM

This past week, I was invited to join the football radio program on Danish radio station 24-7, “Fodbold FM”. It was a very interesting debate regarding inter...

Video Analysis: CSL-Season Round Up

In this video analysis, I look back at the 2013 Chinese Super League season and make a few judgements and analysis on team and players.

Video analysis - The coaching style of Lippi

Italian coach Marcello Lippi has been the big hero this season in China winning the Championship for the second time in a row and winning the first ever Asia...

Interviews: In Danish media about Wu Lei

This week star Chinese player Wu Lei from Shanghai East Asia is linked with a potential move to Danish side FC Copenhagen, so in relation to this move, I’ve ...

To manage other aspects than 4-2-3-1

I have the past 1½ year lived in Shanghai, China as Technical Director of the Ebbe Sand Academy – the first international elite academy in the big Chinese ci...

Video analysis: Wu Lei - The most interesting Chinese player

In our serie the “CSL-Round Up”, I have analyzed Wu Lei and showed how a scouting model can be builded as well. This is something new in China, so hopefully ...

Head Coach of the Legend’s Team

On Thursday, November 14th, I will attend the Tour of the Football Legends in China as the official head coach of the team. I’m flattered to be involved in t...

Chinese column – season close down

The Chinese Super League (CSL) 2013 has now ended after an interesting season where Guangzhou Evergrande as expected became the champions while Shanghai East...

Video analysis: Asian Champions League Final

In these analysis, I firstly preview the two teams in the Asian Champions League Final 2013 and analyze the first leg of the game between the teams - FC Seou...

Chinese column – Beijing still claiming the ACL-spot

The crucial third position in the league is still open, while 4 teams are fighting to avoid relegation together with Wuhan. Very exciting last two rounds are...

Chinese column – The East Asia young guns and Qingdao-victory

Only two games this weekend in the CSL due to the national games, so we got to see a few of the talents of Shanghai East Asia and Qingdao won 4-1, so now the...

Chinese column – Shenxin win important Derby

With a goal in the first minute, Shanghai Shenxin won the ‘Mini Shanghai-Derby’ against Shanghai East Asia and all three Shanghai-teams are now close to a ne...

Chinese column - Vital Changchun-win

This week, I saw three of the teams involved in the relegation battle live, and we can conclude that Qingdao is looking to join Wuhan as the team going down ...

Chinese TV-program - Match of the week

I’m now working as a football expert analyst at the most popular online-TV program HUPU in China. We make the program “Match of the week”, where I analyze a ...

Video: Match of the week at HUPU

I’m now working as a football expert analyst at the most popular online-TV program HUPU in China. We make the program “Match of the week”, where I analyze a ...

Chinese column - Shandong squeezed East Asia

The team of Radomir Antic is far the best team in China to work off the ball and to pressure an opponent in an organized way.

Chinese column: The worst Hangzhou performance

Sunday evening at Shanghai Stadium was a nightmare for the Hangzhou Greentown fans. My ticket gave me a seat among the Hangzhou fans, so I could really feel ...

Den dygtige angriber - uden mål

De danske angribere scorer generelt ikke mange mål (der er altid undtagelser). Det kan skyldes skolingen fra ungdomselitesystemet, hvor der i moderne fodbold...

Chinese column: Classic Sainty problems and Evergrande dominance

The CSL was back Wednesday and Thursday after two weeks with national games, and Evergrande continued their dominance in the top of the league, while Jiangsu...

Chinese column: The new Chinese style

The EAFF East Asian Cup is now over, and we can be very excited regarding the Chinese performance and a second place. The results were good, but even more im...

Analysis on the new FC Barcelona coach and his philosophy

Gerardo Martino probably got the most attractive football job in the World earlier this week, but we don’t know his style and philosophy that well. Therefore...

Chinese column – EAFF East Asian Cup

The CSL is taking a short summer break and instead it’s time for the national teams to perform. This and next week, I will do analysis on the EAFF games incl...

New column and Danish magazine interview

This week my columns are now online at the biggest English site regarding Chinese football - Wildeastfootball.net.

What motivates elite athletes?

In the Danish newspaper Information, we can read an interesting study about elite athletes and their motivation to work hard 365 days in many years. The stud...

Chinese column – Shenhua-Derby and Jiangsu-Evergrande

Two new head coaches were on the bench Saturday evening at the Shanghai-Derby, where Shenhua was the best team and won 2-0. On Sunday the CSL topside Evergra...

Video: Interview in China

In this video interview, I tell about the promising Chinese player, Tycho Collins. A young player, I brought to Denmark for a trial in January and have train...

Chinese column – Batista, Evergrande and Zhu Jiong

A very turbulent week for Shanghai Shenhua with a new head coach coming in, and also the Argentinian assistant coach and physical coach left the club togethe...

Chinese column – Focus on Jiangsu Sainty

Last season Jiangsu Sainty was the big surprise in the CSL with an impressive second place and a spot in this year Asian Champions League as well. This seaso...

Official announcement: Davidsen is moving on

It has been a very difficult decision, because I really like my job and life in China, but I have decided not to extend my contract with Ebbe Sand Soccer ...

Chinese column – Button teams and a Camacho-analysis

Midweek games are always interesting because it also tell us how big the squad is and not just show us the normal starting eleven. Some teams have to make ch...

Chinese column – Important Greentown victory

The best CSL-game, I saw this past weekend was Hangzhou Greentown against Beijing Gouan. A very intense, well-played and dramatic game, where Hangzhou won 2-...

Can Brazil win the World Cup next year?

I will let the football experts make that judgment and instead analyze the Brazilian performances so far in the Confederations Cup 2013.

Interview: Davidsen close to new job

In these three interviews, I tell famous Danish football magazine, Tipsbladet, website onside.dk, and a local Danish paper about my current job situation.

Chinese column: Some positive Chinese aspects

The Chinese national team lost last Thursday 1-2 against Uzbekistan, but I will leave this game behind and instead focus on the game this past Tuesday agains...

Interviews: Davidsen considers offers

In these two interviews with the Danish media, I tell the press that I’m considering two new offers from China and the Middle East.

Chinese column: Shandong passed the test

A very intense match between number one from Guangzhou Evergrande and number two from Shandong Luneng was played Saturday night in the south of China. Evergr...

Chinese column: The Chinese Derby

Beijing played well in the first half – Shenhua is still not playing very well, but the team just keeps on getting their points and Sunday evening they won t...

Chinese column: The biggest star in China

Elkeson – Guangzhou Evergrande – Brazil - Striker:

Chinese column – Evergrande at an international level

We saw a great Friday match at Hongkou between Shenhua and Evergrande and also Greentown and East Asia had some good moments in a week, where R&F surpris...

Chinese column: The kings of Shanghai

This weekend had two big Derby’s in China, but my main focus is on the Shanghai-Derby as Guangzhou Evergrande was at least on level above Guangzhou R&F a...

Chinese column: Hangzhou and Zhang Linpeng

The Japanese revolution in Hangzhou has had a disappointing start in the CSL season, and Okada needs to work on the game plan and especially offensive organi...

Interview: My analysis on Chinese football

I was interviewed by Kenneth Cortsen - Ph.D-Researcher & Business Development Strategist, Master of Science in Business Economics & MBA with focus on...

Chinese column: Shandong and Guizhou Renhe

This week of CSL showed some interesting results. Very impressive that Shenxin got a point against Beijing Gouan, who played a fantastic game last week again...

Interview regarding the Bayern Munich talent Hojbjerg

Today I was interviewed by the Danish football news website, tipsbladet.dk regarding one of my former players at Danish side Brondby IF - Pierre Emile Hojbje...

Website relaunch - now English language

My webiste has now been through a relaunch and from now on everything will be in English. Some of my old analysis and columns will remain in Danish, but all ...

Chinese column: Beijing, Qingdao, and Wu Lei

Another interesting week of CSL is over. Shandong is still ahead with maximum points and I look forward to analyze them live next Saturday at Hongkou Stadium...

麦斯大卫森

Chinese column: The Battle of Shanghai

The Shanghai-Derby and Guangzhou dominance

Chinese column: Dalian and Liaoning

It is yet another interesting week of the CSL. A good top match between Evergrande and Beijing, but I will leave this one for now, because most of you reader...

Column writter in Chinese media

I am very proud to announce that I from now on will write one column a week for the famous Chinese media; hupu.com. I was contacted by Hupu and after some go...

Wu Lei - a hot prospect

In this CSL season I have watched 4 LIVE games + seen almost every game at my tv or at my computer. I am building up a shortlist of interesting players and t...

Unlocking your full potential

Hjælp dig selv med at finde dine indre energier frem.

Lær at lave en kampanalyse

Hvis du ønsker at arbejde med fodbold (og visse andre sportsgrene) på elite niveau, så skal du lære at lave en kampanalyse, hvor du skematisk og systematisk ...

The girl who could not lose

Everyone with interest in Elite sport and talent development should watch this fantastic documentary about the Swedish athlete Carolina Klüft.

30-20-10 løbetræningsmodellen

I 2009-2010 var jeg med i et forskningsforsøg på August Krogh Institutet i København omkring intervaltræning frem mod udholdenhedskonkurrencer. Meget, meget ...

Besøg på Shanghai Sports School

I dag fik jeg helt unikt adgang til Shanghai Sports School, hvor kineserne træner børn fra 7-8 års alderen med henblik på en professional karriere. Det er på...

Chinese players can benefit Danish football

A story in Danish football magazine Tipsbladet, where I say that Danish clubs should consider signing a Chinese player and then I give feed back on our Chine...

Danish TV: Chinese player in Denmark

Our Chinese players trial in Denmark has been a success. The player Tycho has performed very well and showed that he has a great potential if he keeps on dev...

Kinesisk talent i Danmark

Som nævnt kort før jul, så havde Ebbe Sand Soccer Academy en spændende event i Danmark, og nu er den aktuel, da vores 11-årige kinesiske talent Tycho Collins...

Chinese player on trial in Denmark

In January 2013 I will bring one of my most talented players for trial in Denmark. This is a big step and a part of the academy philosphy to higher the stand...

Danish media regarding our Chinese Academy

The Danish media has really been very interested in our Chinese player, who is training with famous side Brondby IF in Denmark right now. We have given a lot...

2012

Links to inspiration

I love inspiration in my daily life and motivation is my patch to work hard every day. I love my life when I wake up in the morning and again at the end of d...

Mads Davidsen: I have high ambitions

A story from the Danish website 90.min.dk where I talk about my dreams and goals for the future.

Den umulige kinesiske kampanalyse

Igennem min tid som træner, under træneruddannelserne og som kampanalytiker for Brøndby IF, har jeg set og analyseret masser af hold fra hele Europa. Det er ...

WEF: Danes open football academy in Shanghai

The famous website writting about Chinese football, wildeastfootball.net has done an interview with me, where I tell about our academy, aims and philosophy.

Two articles about my Chinese job

In these two articles myself and Ebbe Sand talks about our Academy and why we are trying to build up the football in China.

Article from onside.dk

Danish website onside.dk brings the story about our good and solid start in Shanghai working with talent development in China Mainland.

Velkommen til Kina!

Inden min afrejse til Shanghai i Kina nedskrev jeg to dokumenter, der skulle forberede mig grundigt på den udfordring, jeg stod over for. Jeg opdelte udfordr...

Træn kort og eksplosivt

Løb kortere - og bliv en bedre løber. Så simpelt er den nyeste forskning.

Article regarding the talents in Brondby IF

In this article I am asked regarding some of the U19 talents, I train every day at Danish side Brondby IF.

EM’s taktiske tendenser 2.0

En slutrunde danner altid grobund for massive fodbolddiskussioner og har igennem historien vist, at fremtidens fodbold viser sit ansigt netop her. Tendensern...

EM’s taktiske tendenser 1.0

En slutrunde danner altid grobund for massive fodbolddiskussioner og har igennem historien vist, at fremtidens fodbold viser sit ansigt netop her. Tendensern...

Farvel til Brøndby IF

Det var i dag min sidste kamp i Brøndby IF for denne gang, så mange, mange tak til alle spillere, ledere, trænere og personer omkring klubben og primært Tale...

Dyrk glæden i den daglige træning

Fodboldtræning skal ikke nødvendigvis være sjovt, men stimulerende og lærerigt for børnene. På den måde fremelskes glæden ved spillet - og det bedste udvikli...

Media: Dane new boss in Shanghai

A collection of stories regarding my goodbye to Danish football and hello to China and Ebbe Sand Soccer Academy.

Danish coach with ambitions

I am interviewed about my job in Brondby IF and talks about the future as well.

Article about a Danish talent

In this article I am asked about one of my talented U19 players - Frederik Holst (Brondby IF). And I can only say a fantastis play, human being and big pleas...

Brøndby related articles

I have collected some articles regarding the U19 season in Denmark.

VM ved den persiske bugt

FIFA’s opgave er først og fremmest at videreføre fodboldens fortælling, globalisere sporten, og derfor er det helt rigtigt at give den arabiske halvø et verd...

Different media stories

Here are some different stories from the Danish media, where I talk about different football subjects.

2011

Mads Davidsen new Match Analyzer at Brondby IF

I am very proud to announce that I now am U19 Head Coach and Superliga (Premier League) Match Analyzer at famous Danish side Brondby IF. It is a great day in...

Aftale med Frontrunner Permalink

Jeg er rigtigt glad for at kunne præsentere min nye samarbejdsaftale med Frontrunner. Vi er blevet enige om en aftale, der forbedrer mine vilkår som træner, ...

JEG er Ironman!

Jeg er nu officielt en jernmand, da jeg i går søndag den 14. august gennemførte Copenhagen Challenge i tiden 11timer 56minutter og 23 sekunder.

God sommer

God sommer til alle derude! Jeg håber, at I har fået slappet af, hygget med familien, været på ferie og hvad der ellers måtte glæde den enkelte i en ferieper...

Kommenterer bold på Eurosport

Fra i aften kl. 20.30 og en uge frem kommenterer jeg hver aften på Eurosport eller Eurosport2, når U17 VM i Mexico er i gang. En fantastisk spændende turneri...

Dansk Mester 2010/2011

Modtog i dag min første DM-guldmedalje, da vi spillede sidste U19 turneringskamp hjemme mod Lyngby. Desværre tabte vi 1-2, men alligevel var glæden stor efte...

Local kid win Danish Championship

An article in a local newspaper from the area where I am born telling about me winning the Danish U19 Championship with Brondby IF.

Talentudviklingens dilemma

Skal der trænes udelukkende elitært eller mere holistisk? Det er fodboldens evige diskussion.

Champions League kan ende som kvindehåndbold

Engang var kvindehåndbold en af Danmarks mest populære sportsgrene. Ikke målt på de aktive, men målt på antallet af tv-seere. Danmark havde verdens bedste li...

Velkommen til madsdavidsen.com

I dag er min hjemmeside officielt åben, og det er jeg selvfølgelig glad for. Det er ingen hemmelighed, at fodbold er min passion, men jeg elsker også at form...

2010

Ydmyghed stammer fra fortiden

Ydmyghed skaber middelmådighed. Lad os derfor redefinere ordets betydning i det moderne, individuelle samfund.

Den vitale 6’er

Balancespilleren og ankermanden på midten er blevet en af moderne fodbolds mest betydningsfulde spillere.

Zlatan-snak er tom for substans

Der er for meget populisme og alt for lidt viden, når medierne udnævner talenter til at være ‘Danmarks Zlatan Ibrahimovic’.

Landsholdets og fodboldjournalistikkens manglende rytme

En ting er en biptest. En helt anden ting er touchet på bolden og fornemmelsen for spillet.

Talentudviklingens dilemma

Jeg vil i det følgende advokere for, at man bør træne kort og eksplosivt. For der er evidens i videnskaben for, at det i langt højere grad forbedrer din fysi...

Hvis jeg var Maradona Permalink

En artikel om, hvad jeg ville gøre, hvis jeg hed Diego Armando Maradona…

Talenterne er fremtiden

Fodboldverdens finansielle situation gør, at klubberne ikke længere vil hente dyre spillere, men i stedet satse på at udvikle dem selv.