Ove Christensen
Encyclopedia
Ove Christensen is an Association football manager, who is the head coach of Viborg FF
in the Danish 1st Division
. He has managed a number of Danish Superliga
clubs, and won the Danish women's championship
with Fortuna Hjørring
.
team Fortuna Hjørring
in 1985, staying there for three years. He spent four years with men's team Nørresundby Boldklub, guiding the club to the second-tier Danish 1st Division
in 1991, with players such as later Danish champions Henrik Rasmussen and Jan Pedersen. He joined Fortuna Hjørring for a second stint in 1994, guiding the club to the Double
in 1995, by winning both the Elitedivisionen and the Danish Women's Cup.
In 1995, Christensen was hired by Viborg FF
in the men's Danish 1st Division, and guided the club to the top-flight Danish Superliga
. He managed the club to the eighth place finish of the Danish Superliga 1995-96
season. In the following season, the club ended up 11th, and was relegated
to the 1st Division. He was allowed to retain his position at the club, and promptly guided the club to promotion
for the Superliga the following season. In the Danish Superliga 1998-99
season, he once more secured another eighth place finish.
In July 1999, he was appointed by the Danish Football Association
as manager of the Denmark national under-18 football team, as Viborg agreed to release him from his contract. In practicality, he also served as Flemming Serritslev
's assistant coach of the Denmark national under-21 football team
, and led that team on a few occasions. He left the position after a year, as he accepted the offer of coaching Superliga club AGF.
He only spent six months in AGF, placing the team in ninth place after the first half of the Danish Superliga 2000-01
season. In the winter break, Christensen handed in his resignation, critizising the AGF management for a lack of support and presence. Less than two weeks later, he was appointed head coach of rival Superliga team AB
, looking to avert relegation. He guided the team to a 10th place, nine points free of the relegation zone. The team also reached the 2001 Danish Cup
final, but lost 1-4 to Silkeborg IF
. In the following two seasons, Christensen led AB to fifth and ninth place finishes, respectively. He could not agree a contract extension with AB in the summer 2003, and left the club six months before time.
He was appointed manager of his old club Viborg FF a few days later. He managed Viborg to two seventh place finishes in his first two seasons with the team. As Viborg lost 2-3 to Silkeborg IF on March 12, 2006, Christensen set a record of 285 matches as coach in the Superliga, breaking the former record set by Peter Rudbæk. As the positive surprise of the Danish Superliga 2005-06
season, Viborg finished in fourth place, with the highest goal tally of the league. The club was off to a bad start of the Danish Superliga 2006-07
. In July 2006, Christensen declared he wanted to leave the club after the season, and critizised the Viborg management for confused season preparations, and was in turn fired by the club.
He was hired by Superliga relegation battlers Vejle Boldklub
in April 2007. On May 9, 2007 he reclaimed the record of most matches as coach in the Superliga from Viggo Jensen, when Vejle won 3-0 against Esbjerg fB
in his 307th match. He could not keep Vejle from relegation, but guided the club to a bounce-back for the Superliga in 2008. At the winter break of the Danish Superliga 2008-09
season, Vejle was placed one point into the relegation zone. With a series of transfer moves, the Vejle squad found renewed optimism before the second half of the season. As Vejle got three points in the first three games of the spring season, Vejle officials sacked Christensen on 17 March 2009. The sacking was critizised as premature, and Vejle got nine points in the remaining 13 games and was relegated.
On October 7, 2009 he was appointed the successor of Superliga club Randers FC
's fired Head Coach John 'Faxe' Jensen
on a contract for the remainder of the Danish Superliga 2009-10 season. Randers had only two points after 11 games, and the goal of his appointment was to turn the team around and avoid relegation. Randers got six points in the last seven games before the winter break half-way through the season, leaving them 13 points deep in the relegation zone, with all experts forecasting nothing but relegation at the end of the upcoming spring season. In the winter break, Randers parted ways with seven players, bringing in four key signings in Anders Egholm
, Yura Movsisyan
, Søren Jensen
, and Morten Karlsen
. With a historic comeback of 16 successive games without losing, Christensen guided Randers two points clear of relegation and kept the club in the top flight. On May 17, 2010, he signed a one-year extension of his contract.
He was sacked by Randers FC in April 2011 due to a series of bad results. On May 7 2011 he was announced as the successor of Kim Poulsen
at Danish 1st Division
club FC Hjørring
on a contract running for the rest of the 2010-11 season. On June 29 he was returned for a third spell as manager of Viborg FF
.
Viborg FF
Viborg FF is a Danish professional football club located in Viborg. The full name of the club is Viborg Fodsports Forening , but the name is frequently abbreviated as Viborg FF or VFF. The club was founded in 1896, but would have to wait more than a century before winning its only countrywide...
in the Danish 1st Division
Danish 1st Division
The 1st Division has been the name of the second highest football league in Denmark since 1991. From 1945 to 1991 the 1st Division was the name of the highest level of football in Denmark...
. He has managed a number of Danish Superliga
Danish Superliga
The Danish Superliga is the current Danish football championship tournament, and administered by the Danish Football Association. It is the highest association football league in Denmark and is currently contested by 12 teams each year, with 2 teams to be relegated, which proves to be one of the...
clubs, and won the Danish women's championship
Elitedivisionen
Elitedivisionen is the highest-level league competition for women's football clubs in Danish football. The first national championship was contested in 1973...
with Fortuna Hjørring
Fortuna Hjørring
Fortuna Hjørring is a women's association football team that play in Hjørring, Denmark. The club was formed in 1966 and play in green and white. Their main achievement in women's European football was reaching the 2002–03 UEFA Women's Cup Final between them and Swedish side Umeå IK...
.
Coaching career
Christensen started his career coaching lower-league clubs, beginning with Brønderslev IF in 1982. He managed Vrå IF, before moving to the women's topflight ElitedivisionenElitedivisionen
Elitedivisionen is the highest-level league competition for women's football clubs in Danish football. The first national championship was contested in 1973...
team Fortuna Hjørring
Fortuna Hjørring
Fortuna Hjørring is a women's association football team that play in Hjørring, Denmark. The club was formed in 1966 and play in green and white. Their main achievement in women's European football was reaching the 2002–03 UEFA Women's Cup Final between them and Swedish side Umeå IK...
in 1985, staying there for three years. He spent four years with men's team Nørresundby Boldklub, guiding the club to the second-tier Danish 1st Division
Danish 1st Division
The 1st Division has been the name of the second highest football league in Denmark since 1991. From 1945 to 1991 the 1st Division was the name of the highest level of football in Denmark...
in 1991, with players such as later Danish champions Henrik Rasmussen and Jan Pedersen. He joined Fortuna Hjørring for a second stint in 1994, guiding the club to the Double
The Double
The Double is a term in association football which refers to winning a country's top tier division and its primary cup competition in the same season...
in 1995, by winning both the Elitedivisionen and the Danish Women's Cup.
In 1995, Christensen was hired by Viborg FF
Viborg FF
Viborg FF is a Danish professional football club located in Viborg. The full name of the club is Viborg Fodsports Forening , but the name is frequently abbreviated as Viborg FF or VFF. The club was founded in 1896, but would have to wait more than a century before winning its only countrywide...
in the men's Danish 1st Division, and guided the club to the top-flight Danish Superliga
Danish Superliga
The Danish Superliga is the current Danish football championship tournament, and administered by the Danish Football Association. It is the highest association football league in Denmark and is currently contested by 12 teams each year, with 2 teams to be relegated, which proves to be one of the...
. He managed the club to the eighth place finish of the Danish Superliga 1995-96
Danish Superliga 1995-96
The 1995-96 Danish Superliga season was the 6th season of the Danish Superliga league championship, governed by the Danish Football Association....
season. In the following season, the club ended up 11th, and was relegated
Promotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
to the 1st Division. He was allowed to retain his position at the club, and promptly guided the club to promotion
Promotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
for the Superliga the following season. In the Danish Superliga 1998-99
Danish Superliga 1998-99
The 1998-99 Danish Superliga season was the 9th season of the Danish Superliga league championship, governed by the Danish Football Association. It took place from the first match on July 26, 1998 to final match on June 16, 1999....
season, he once more secured another eighth place finish.
In July 1999, he was appointed by the Danish Football Association
Danish Football Association
The Danish Football Association is the governing body of football in Denmark. It is the organization of the Danish football clubs and runs the professional Danish football leagues and the men's and women's national teams. It is based in the city of Brøndby and is a founding member of both FIFA...
as manager of the Denmark national under-18 football team, as Viborg agreed to release him from his contract. In practicality, he also served as Flemming Serritslev
Flemming Serritslev
Flemming Seritslev is a former Danish footballer, coach and manager. He is currently technical manager of Mes Kerman.-Biography:Serritslev played most of his career for Vejle Boldklub in a very successful period...
's assistant coach of the Denmark national under-21 football team
Denmark national under-21 football team
The Denmark national under-21 football team has played since 1976 and is controlled by the Danish Football Association. Before 1976, the age limit was 23 years.-U-21 European Championship:*1978 – Quarterfinals*1980 to 1984 – Did not qualify...
, and led that team on a few occasions. He left the position after a year, as he accepted the offer of coaching Superliga club AGF.
He only spent six months in AGF, placing the team in ninth place after the first half of the Danish Superliga 2000-01
Danish Superliga 2000-01
The 2000–01 Danish Superliga season was the 11th season of the Danish Superliga league championship, governed by the Danish Football Association...
season. In the winter break, Christensen handed in his resignation, critizising the AGF management for a lack of support and presence. Less than two weeks later, he was appointed head coach of rival Superliga team AB
Akademisk Boldklub
Akademisk Boldklub or AB is a Danish professional football club from Copenhagen,currently playing at the second highest level in Danish domestic football, the 1st Division.-History:...
, looking to avert relegation. He guided the team to a 10th place, nine points free of the relegation zone. The team also reached the 2001 Danish Cup
Danish Cup
The Danish Cup is the official "knockout" cup competition in Danish football, run by the Danish Football Association. The cup has been contested annually since 1955...
final, but lost 1-4 to Silkeborg IF
Silkeborg IF
Silkeborg IF is a Danish professional football club based in the city of Silkeborg, in the middle of Jutland. Silkeborg IF plays in the Danish Superliga. The club was founded in 1917 and they first reach the highest level of football in Denmark in 1987, at that time called 1st division today known...
. In the following two seasons, Christensen led AB to fifth and ninth place finishes, respectively. He could not agree a contract extension with AB in the summer 2003, and left the club six months before time.
He was appointed manager of his old club Viborg FF a few days later. He managed Viborg to two seventh place finishes in his first two seasons with the team. As Viborg lost 2-3 to Silkeborg IF on March 12, 2006, Christensen set a record of 285 matches as coach in the Superliga, breaking the former record set by Peter Rudbæk. As the positive surprise of the Danish Superliga 2005-06
Danish Superliga 2005-06
The 2005-06 Danish Superliga season was the 16th season of the Danish Superliga league championship, governed by the Danish Football Association. It took place from the first match on July 19, 2005 to the final match on May 14, 2006....
season, Viborg finished in fourth place, with the highest goal tally of the league. The club was off to a bad start of the Danish Superliga 2006-07
Danish Superliga 2006-07
The 2006–07 Danish Superliga season was the 17th season of the Danish Superliga league championship, which determined the winners of the Danish football championship. It was governed by the Danish Football Association. It took place from the first match on July 19, 2006 to the final match on May...
. In July 2006, Christensen declared he wanted to leave the club after the season, and critizised the Viborg management for confused season preparations, and was in turn fired by the club.
He was hired by Superliga relegation battlers Vejle Boldklub
Vejle Boldklub
Vejle Boldklub is a Danish football club with proud traditions from the town of Vejle. The club has won the Danish championship five times and the Danish cup title six times....
in April 2007. On May 9, 2007 he reclaimed the record of most matches as coach in the Superliga from Viggo Jensen, when Vejle won 3-0 against Esbjerg fB
Esbjerg fB
Esbjerg forenede Boldklubber also referred to as Esbjerg fB or simply EfB is a professional Danish football club from the port city of Esbjerg in West Jutland. The club was formed in 1924, as a merger between Esbjerg Boldklub af 1898 and Esbjerg Amatørklub af 1911. The club has training facilities...
in his 307th match. He could not keep Vejle from relegation, but guided the club to a bounce-back for the Superliga in 2008. At the winter break of the Danish Superliga 2008-09
Danish Superliga 2008-09
The 2008–09 Danish Superliga was the 19th season of Danish Superliga league championship, which determines the winners of the Danish football championship, governed by the Danish Football Association. The season started on 19 July 2008 and ended on 31 May 2009. The defending champions were Aalborg...
season, Vejle was placed one point into the relegation zone. With a series of transfer moves, the Vejle squad found renewed optimism before the second half of the season. As Vejle got three points in the first three games of the spring season, Vejle officials sacked Christensen on 17 March 2009. The sacking was critizised as premature, and Vejle got nine points in the remaining 13 games and was relegated.
On October 7, 2009 he was appointed the successor of Superliga club Randers FC
Randers FC
Randers FC is a Danish professional football team based in Randers, which plays in the top-flight Danish Superliga championship. Founded as a merger on January 1, 2003, the club builds upon the license of Randers Freja, a former three-time Danish Cup winning team...
's fired Head Coach John 'Faxe' Jensen
John Jensen
John Jensen , nicknamed Faxe, is a former Danish international footballer who is unemployed. He is known for his temper and is often outspoken in interviews. His playing career lasted over a decade, during which he played most famously for Arsenal F.C...
on a contract for the remainder of the Danish Superliga 2009-10 season. Randers had only two points after 11 games, and the goal of his appointment was to turn the team around and avoid relegation. Randers got six points in the last seven games before the winter break half-way through the season, leaving them 13 points deep in the relegation zone, with all experts forecasting nothing but relegation at the end of the upcoming spring season. In the winter break, Randers parted ways with seven players, bringing in four key signings in Anders Egholm
Anders Egholm
Anders Høyen Egholm is a Danish professional football defender, who currently plays for Danish First Division side Randers FC.- Career :...
, Yura Movsisyan
Yura Movsisyan
Yura Movsisyan is an Armenian-American footballer who currently plays for the Armenian national football team and Krasnodar in the Russian Premier League. Yura Movsisyan is the cousin of former Real Salt Lake player Artur Aghasyan....
, Søren Jensen
Søren Jensen
Søren Tougaard Jensen is a Danish professional football defender, who currently plays for the Danish Superliga side AC Horsens.-External links: at Danmarks Radio...
, and Morten Karlsen
Morten Karlsen
Morten Karlsen is a Danish professional football defender and midfielder, who currently plays for the Danish Superliga side Esbjerg fB. He previously had spells at FC Nordsjælland, Randers FC, FC Zwolle, B.93 and also a trial at Aston Villa.-External links:***...
. With a historic comeback of 16 successive games without losing, Christensen guided Randers two points clear of relegation and kept the club in the top flight. On May 17, 2010, he signed a one-year extension of his contract.
He was sacked by Randers FC in April 2011 due to a series of bad results. On May 7 2011 he was announced as the successor of Kim Poulsen
Kim Poulsen
Kim Poulsen is a Danish football manager, who is the current manager of the Tanzania national under-21 football team. He most notably guided Viborg FF to the 2000 Danish Cup....
at Danish 1st Division
Danish 1st Division
The 1st Division has been the name of the second highest football league in Denmark since 1991. From 1945 to 1991 the 1st Division was the name of the highest level of football in Denmark...
club FC Hjørring
FC Hjørring
FC Hjørring is a Danish football club from Hjørring, Vendsyssel. It currently plays in the Danish 1st Division. It was formerly known as Hjørring IF.-Current squad:-External links:...
on a contract running for the rest of the 2010-11 season. On June 29 he was returned for a third spell as manager of Viborg FF
Viborg FF
Viborg FF is a Danish professional football club located in Viborg. The full name of the club is Viborg Fodsports Forening , but the name is frequently abbreviated as Viborg FF or VFF. The club was founded in 1896, but would have to wait more than a century before winning its only countrywide...
.
Honors
- Danish ChampionElitedivisionenElitedivisionen is the highest-level league competition for women's football clubs in Danish football. The first national championship was contested in 1973...
: Fortuna Hjørring, 1994 (Women) - Danish Cup Winner: Fortuna Hjørring, 1995 (Women)