Michael Svensson
Encyclopedia
Michael Lennart Svensson (born 25 November 1975 in Värnamo
, Sweden
) is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Halmstads BK
in Superettan
. He is best known at club level for his playing career with Southampton
. He played in the 2003 FA Cup Final against Arsenal
, where Southampton lost 1–0 to a Robert Pirès
strike.
and Halmstads BK
. He began to be noticed by bigger clubs when Halmstads BK won the Swedish championship
in 2000
.
He was transferred to Troyes
in 2001 and then moved to Southampton
in 2002.
. He immediately struck up a rapport with Claus Lundekvam
at the centre of the Saints defence. He is a tough tackling, no nonsense centre-half but likes to play the ball out of defence and get forward to help out in attack. His nickname with both fans and press is "Killer".
Svensson holds the honour of scoring the last ever competitive goal at Maine Road
on 11 May 2003, in a game won by Southampton 1–0.
Due to a serious knee injury sustained at the end of the 2003–04 season, he missed the entire 2004–05 season. He returned to action in October 2005 but, after only seven games, he broke down again and remained out of action for the remainder of the 2005–06 season. He failed to return to full fitness in time for the start of the 2006–07 championship season due to a kick in the knee during an Aldershot
reserves game in the 2006 pre-season. Since then, he has flown to Germany to continue treatment with FC Bayern Munich
doctor Hans Müller-Wolfhart
. On 23 May 2007, it was announced that Svensson would undergo further surgery in an attempt to save his career. The procedure was expected to put him out of action for over a year, throwing a major question mark over his future. His contract with the Saints expired on 30 June 2007, and was not renewed as Southampton face up to the financial realities of a third season in the Championship
.
On 2 July 2008, Southampton announced that Svensson "could be on the verge of a remarkable footballing comeback" following a visit to a specialist rehabilitation centre in Italy in the summer. Svensson is again in training and could be re-signed by Southampton for the 2008–09 season. He completed a pre-season friendly against Winchester City on 13 July, and is therefore in with a chance of making a full recovery from his injury. He captained the Southampton side which drew 2–2 with West Ham United
in the Ted Bates Trophy.
On 7 August 2008 he agreed terms with Southampton and was appointed club captain. Two days later, he completed his remarkable comeback, playing 90 minutes in Southampton's first Championship match of the season, a 2–1 defeat to Cardiff City
, his first competitive game for the club since a match against Hull City on 22 November 2005. A week later, prior to the home game against Birmingham City
, Southampton and Svensson agreed terms signing a 12 months contract. He played three more league games that month, with his final competitive appearance coming in the League Cup against Rotherham United on 23 September 2008.
On 24 January 2009, Svensson joined new manager Mark Wotte
's coaching staff as an assistant first team coach alongside Dean Gorré.
On 25 June 2009, Svensson announced his retirement from the playing side of the game, exactly seven years to the day after he was first unveiled at St. Mary's as Gordon Strachan
's only summer signing of 2002 and thus severs the last remaining link on the playing side with the 2003 FA Cup final, in which he played the full 90 minutes.
on 17 August 1999 against Austria
. He was a member of the Swedish squad for the 2002 World Cup, where he was not played. He has 25 caps for his country.
.
Southampton
Värnamo Municipality
Värnamo Municipality is a municipality in Jönköping County in southern Sweden, where the town Värnamo is seat.The municipality was created in 1971, when the City of Värnamo was amalgamated with the surrounding rural municipalities to form an entity of unitary type...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
) is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Halmstads BK
Halmstads BK
Halmstads Bollklubb, also called HBK or just Halmstad, is a Swedish football club located in Halmstad in the southwest of Sweden. The club, formed 6 March 1914, competes in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan, and has won 4 national championship titles and 1 national cup title...
in Superettan
Superettan
Superettan is the second highest league in the league system of Swedish football and comprises 16 Swedish football teams. It was created in 2000. Before that, the second level league in Sweden had been Division 1....
. He is best known at club level for his playing career with Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
. He played in the 2003 FA Cup Final against Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
, where Southampton lost 1–0 to a Robert Pirès
Robert Pirès
Robert Emmanuel Pirès is a former French international footballer. He is perhaps best known for his time with Arsenal, with whom he won three FA Cups and two FA Premier League titles including the club's famous unbeaten season of 2003–04...
strike.
Early career
Svensson started his career in his home country, playing for various Swedish clubs including IFK VärnamoIFK Värnamo
IFK Värnamo is a Swedish football club located in Värnamo. The club is currently playing in the second highest Swedish league, Superettan. The most famous player from the club is Jonas Thern, who was captain of the Swedish national team in World Cup '94 USA....
and Halmstads BK
Halmstads BK
Halmstads Bollklubb, also called HBK or just Halmstad, is a Swedish football club located in Halmstad in the southwest of Sweden. The club, formed 6 March 1914, competes in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan, and has won 4 national championship titles and 1 national cup title...
. He began to be noticed by bigger clubs when Halmstads BK won the Swedish championship
Allsvenskan
Allsvenskan is a Swedish professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Swedish football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Superettan...
in 2000
2000 in Swedish football
The 2000 season in Swedish football, starting January 2000 and ending December 2000:- Official titles :- Competitions :- Promotions :- Relegations :- International qualifications :- Allsvenskan 2000 :...
.
He was transferred to Troyes
Troyes AC
Espérance Sportive Troyes Aube Champagne is a French association football club, based in Troyes. It was founded in 1900. The club was promoted to Ligue 1 for the 2005–06 season and their first Ligue 1 season was in 1954/55, and their second spell came in 1999/2000 Espérance Sportive Troyes Aube...
in 2001 and then moved to Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
in 2002.
Southampton
Svensson arrived at Southampton just after being a member of Sweden's squad at the 2002 World Cup2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
. He immediately struck up a rapport with Claus Lundekvam
Claus Lundekvam
Claus Lundekvam is a former Norwegian footballer, who spent most of his career at English side Southampton. He played for Southampton in the 2003 FA Cup Final against Arsenal .-Playing career:...
at the centre of the Saints defence. He is a tough tackling, no nonsense centre-half but likes to play the ball out of defence and get forward to help out in attack. His nickname with both fans and press is "Killer".
Svensson holds the honour of scoring the last ever competitive goal at Maine Road
Maine Road
Maine Road was a football stadium in Moss Side, Manchester, England that was home to Manchester City F.C. from its construction in 1923 until 2003...
on 11 May 2003, in a game won by Southampton 1–0.
Due to a serious knee injury sustained at the end of the 2003–04 season, he missed the entire 2004–05 season. He returned to action in October 2005 but, after only seven games, he broke down again and remained out of action for the remainder of the 2005–06 season. He failed to return to full fitness in time for the start of the 2006–07 championship season due to a kick in the knee during an Aldershot
Aldershot F.C.
Aldershot Football Club was an English Football League club, which was wound up in the High Court in March 1992. They became the first Football League club since Accrington Stanley to resign from the League during the course of a season. The club was nicknamed the Shots for both the last syllable...
reserves game in the 2006 pre-season. Since then, he has flown to Germany to continue treatment with FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich , is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. It is best known for its professional football team, which is the most successful football club in Germany, having won 22 national titles and 15 cups....
doctor Hans Müller-Wolfhart
Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfarth
Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt is the club doctor at Bayern Munich and is a world leader in the treatment of sports injuries....
. On 23 May 2007, it was announced that Svensson would undergo further surgery in an attempt to save his career. The procedure was expected to put him out of action for over a year, throwing a major question mark over his future. His contract with the Saints expired on 30 June 2007, and was not renewed as Southampton face up to the financial realities of a third season in the Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
.
On 2 July 2008, Southampton announced that Svensson "could be on the verge of a remarkable footballing comeback" following a visit to a specialist rehabilitation centre in Italy in the summer. Svensson is again in training and could be re-signed by Southampton for the 2008–09 season. He completed a pre-season friendly against Winchester City on 13 July, and is therefore in with a chance of making a full recovery from his injury. He captained the Southampton side which drew 2–2 with West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
in the Ted Bates Trophy.
On 7 August 2008 he agreed terms with Southampton and was appointed club captain. Two days later, he completed his remarkable comeback, playing 90 minutes in Southampton's first Championship match of the season, a 2–1 defeat to Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
, his first competitive game for the club since a match against Hull City on 22 November 2005. A week later, prior to the home game against Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
, Southampton and Svensson agreed terms signing a 12 months contract. He played three more league games that month, with his final competitive appearance coming in the League Cup against Rotherham United on 23 September 2008.
On 24 January 2009, Svensson joined new manager Mark Wotte
Mark Wotte
Mark Wotte is a football manager from the Netherlands, who has managed teams in the Netherlands, Egypt, Qatar, England and Romania. He is currently the performance director of the Scottish Football Association....
's coaching staff as an assistant first team coach alongside Dean Gorré.
On 25 June 2009, Svensson announced his retirement from the playing side of the game, exactly seven years to the day after he was first unveiled at St. Mary's as Gordon Strachan
Gordon Strachan
Gordon David Strachan OBE is a Scottish football manager and former player. He is currently without a club, having last managed Middlesbrough. Strachan played for Dundee, Aberdeen, Manchester United, Leeds United and Coventry City, as well as the Scotland national team. Prior to Middlesbrough,...
's only summer signing of 2002 and thus severs the last remaining link on the playing side with the 2003 FA Cup final, in which he played the full 90 minutes.
International career
He made his debut in the Swedish national teamSweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
on 17 August 1999 against Austria
Austria national football team
The Austria national football team is the association football team that represents the country of Austria in international competition and is controlled by the Austrian Football Association ....
. He was a member of the Swedish squad for the 2002 World Cup, where he was not played. He has 25 caps for his country.
Coaching career
Following his retirement from playing, Svensson announced that he would return home to Sweden and take up a career as manager, stating that he would prefer to start in Division 2 or 3. Following that, his former club Halmstads BK were looking for a new manager and rumours started that he was going to get the position; on 17 December 2009 he was presented as the club's new assistant manager alongside Lars JacobssonLars Jacobsson
Lasse Jacobsson is a Swedish football manager and former player, who is currently a free agent.-Managerial:Halmstads BK:* Allsvenskan:* Runner-up: 2004* U21 Allsvenskan:* Champion: 2009-External links:*...
.
Club
Halmstads BKHalmstads BK
Halmstads Bollklubb, also called HBK or just Halmstad, is a Swedish football club located in Halmstad in the southwest of Sweden. The club, formed 6 March 1914, competes in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan, and has won 4 national championship titles and 1 national cup title...
- Swedish championshipAllsvenskanAllsvenskan is a Swedish professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Swedish football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Superettan...
: 20002000 in Swedish footballThe 2000 season in Swedish football, starting January 2000 and ending December 2000:- Official titles :- Competitions :- Promotions :- Relegations :- International qualifications :- Allsvenskan 2000 :...
Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
- FA CupFA CupThe 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...
runner-up: 2003