Frans Thijssen
Encyclopedia
Frans Thijssen (ˈfrɑns ˈtɛi̯.sə(n)) (born 23 January 1952 in Malden
, Gelderland
) is a former international Dutch footballer
. He started his professional career in 1970 with NEC Nijmegen. In 1973 he moved to FC Twente
, where the midfielder played for nearly six seasons.
Thijssen won fourteen caps for Holland between 1975 and 1981.
In 1979, he moved to England to sign for Ipswich Town
, and in 1981 was voted English Footballer of the Year
as he helped Ipswich Town win the UEFA Cup
, scoring one goal in each of the two legs of the final. He played a big part in their run to the semi finals of the FA Cup
, and they also finished second in the league that season. He helped them finished second again the following year, but a year later he departed from Portman Road
after four years to sign for Brian Clough's
Nottingham Forest
, but he was not nearly as successful at the City Ground
as he had been in East Anglia
, and he had left the club within months.
He also had a stint in the NASL
with the Vancouver Whitecaps
. In 1984 he returned to his native country, to play for Fortuna Sittard
(1984–1987), FC Groningen (1987–1988) and Vitesse Arnhem
(1988–1991).
After his active career he became a football manager. In 1997 he became manager for the Swedish club Malmö FF
and spent two years there.
After several seasons without success, Thijssen was sacked as manager for Malmö FF during the middle of season 98. At the time of his dismissal Malmö was in danger of being relegated to the first division(Superettan) for the first time in the club's history. Thijssen was replaced by Roland Andersson
and Thomas Sjöberg
.
Heumen
Heumen is a municipality and a village in the eastern Netherlands.- Population centres :*Heumen*Malden *Molenhoek *Nederasselt*Overasselt-External links:*...
, Gelderland
Gelderland
Gelderland is the largest province of the Netherlands, located in the central eastern part of the country. The capital city is Arnhem. The two other major cities, Nijmegen and Apeldoorn have more inhabitants. Other major regional centers in Gelderland are Ede, Doetinchem, Zutphen, Tiel, Wijchen,...
) is a former international Dutch footballer
Football in the Netherlands
Football is the most popular Sport in the Netherlands. Football was introduced to the Netherlands by Pim Mulier in the 19th century when in 1879, at the age of 14, he founded Haarlemsche Football Club...
. He started his professional career in 1970 with NEC Nijmegen. In 1973 he moved to FC Twente
FC Twente
FC Twente is a Dutch professional football club from the city of Enschede, playing in the Eredivisie. The club was formed in 1965 by the merger of 1926 Eredivisie Champions, Sportclub Enschede and Enschedese Boys...
, where the midfielder played for nearly six seasons.
Thijssen won fourteen caps for Holland between 1975 and 1981.
In 1979, he moved to England to sign for Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
, and in 1981 was voted English Footballer of the Year
Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year
The Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year is an annual award given to the player who is adjudged to have been the best of the season in English football...
as he helped Ipswich Town win the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
, scoring one goal in each of the two legs of the final. He played a big part in their run to the semi finals of the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
, and they also finished second in the league that season. He helped them finished second again the following year, but a year later he departed from Portman Road
Portman Road
Portman Road is an association football stadium in Ipswich, Suffolk, England. It has been the home ground of Ipswich Town F.C. since 1884. The stadium has also hosted a number of England youth international matches, and one senior England friendly international match, against Croatia in 2003...
after four years to sign for Brian Clough's
Brian Clough
Brian Howard Clough, OBE was an English footballer and football manager. He is most notable for his success with Derby County and Nottingham Forest. His achievement of winning back-to-back European Cups with Nottingham Forest, a traditionally moderate provincial English club, is considered to be...
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
, but he was not nearly as successful at the City Ground
City Ground
The City Ground is a football stadium in the West Bridgford area of Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, on the banks of the River Trent. It has been home to Nottingham Forest Football Club since 1898, and has a capacity of 30,602 ....
as he had been in East Anglia
East Anglia
East Anglia is a traditional name for a region of eastern England, named after an ancient Anglo-Saxon kingdom, the Kingdom of the East Angles. The Angles took their name from their homeland Angeln, in northern Germany. East Anglia initially consisted of Norfolk and Suffolk, but upon the marriage of...
, and he had left the club within months.
He also had a stint in the NASL
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
with the Vancouver Whitecaps
Vancouver Whitecaps (NASL)
The original Vancouver Whitecaps were founded on December 11, 1973 and during the 1970s and 1980s played in the North American Soccer League . The Whitecaps achieved success, winning the 1979 Soccer Bowl. The Whitecaps of that era included international players such as Alan Ball, but also "home...
. In 1984 he returned to his native country, to play for Fortuna Sittard
Fortuna Sittard
Fortuna Sittard is a football club in Sittard, Netherlands. The club currently plays its football in the 12,500 capacity Trendwork Arena and features in the Dutch Eerste Divisie. The club was a merger of former clubs 'Fortuna 54' and 'Sittardia' to merge as the Fortuna Sittard Combinatie on July 1,...
(1984–1987), FC Groningen (1987–1988) and Vitesse Arnhem
Vitesse Arnhem
Stichting Betaald Voetbal Vitesse is a Dutch football club from Arnhem, which was founded on 14 May 1892. Vitesse has had considerable success in the Eredivisie, and featured in the UEFA Cup competition, but has never been considered a close competitor of the top three clubs of Netherlands...
(1988–1991).
After his active career he became a football manager. In 1997 he became manager for the Swedish club Malmö FF
Malmö FF
Malmö Fotbollförening, also known simply as Malmö FF, are a Swedish professional football club based in Malmö. The club is affiliated with Skånes Fotbollförbund and play their home games at Swedbank Stadion. The club colours, reflected in their crest and kit, are sky blue and white...
and spent two years there.
After several seasons without success, Thijssen was sacked as manager for Malmö FF during the middle of season 98. At the time of his dismissal Malmö was in danger of being relegated to the first division(Superettan) for the first time in the club's history. Thijssen was replaced by Roland Andersson
Roland Andersson
Åke-Erik Roland Andersson is a former Swedish football player and coach. His most recent job was that as the assistant coach of the Nigeria National Team under Lars Lagerbäck....
and Thomas Sjöberg
Thomas Sjöberg
Thomas Sjöberg, , is a former Swedish footballer.- Career :Sjöberg played much of his career with Malmö FF in Allsvenskan during the 1970s...
.
As a player
Ipswich TownIpswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
- UEFA Cup winner 1981
- English Footballer of the YearFootball Writers' Association Footballer of the YearThe Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year is an annual award given to the player who is adjudged to have been the best of the season in English football...
1980–81