Michael Laudrup

Michael Laudrup (born June 15, 1964) is a Danish football player and coach. He is known as one of the most skilful and elegant players of the game and is still hugely popular amongst fans.

Related Topics:
June 15 - 1964 - Danish - Football - Coach

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He started his career in Danish clubs Københavns Boldklub (KB) and Brøndby before being sold to Juventus in Italy in 1982 aged 18. Juventus initially loaned him to Rome club Lazio for two seasons before he returned in 1985 playing alongside Michel Platini, Zbigniew Boniek and Ian Rush. He stayed in Serie A until 1989, when he joined FC Barcelona of Spain and enjoyed tremendous success. In 1994 he completed a controversial move from Barça to Real Madrid after he fell out with the Barça coach and former Dutch national team star Johan Cruyff. He went on to play for Vissel Kobe, Japan, and ended his playing career at Ajax in 1998.

Related Topics:
Københavns - Brøndby - Juventus - Italy - Lazio - Michel Platini - Zbigniew Boniek - Ian Rush - FC Barcelona - Spain - Real Madrid - Johan Cruyff - Vissel Kobe - Ajax

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Laudrup starred at the 1984, 1988, and 1996 European Championships, as well as the 1986 and {{Wc|1998}}s. He is best remembered for an exceptional goal in a 6-1 defeat of Uruguay in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Laudrup also played in Japan, for Vissel Kobe and for Dutch team Ajax Amsterdam before leaving the field to become a coach at age 36. After serving as an assistant coach for the Danish national team, he took his current job as head coach with Brøndby in the Danish national league. In his spare time he plays for Lyngby Boldklub's Old Boys team.

Related Topics:
1984 - 1988 - 1996 European Championships - 1986 - Uruguay - Vissel Kobe - Dutch - Ajax Amsterdam - Danish national team - Lyngby Boldklub

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Michael Laudrup has a younger brother, Brian Laudrup, who was also a professional football player. Brian Laudrup was a part of the winning Danish national team in {{Ec|92}}, but Michael did not play in that championship due to differences with the national coach Richard Møller Nielsen. He appeared a total of 104 times for his country, scoring 37 goals.

Related Topics:
Brian Laudrup - Richard Møller Nielsen

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In 2004, both Laudrup brothers were named to the FIFA 100, a list of the 125 greatest living footballers chosen by Pelé as part of the celebration of FIFA's 100th anniversary.

Related Topics:
2004 - FIFA 100 - Pelé - FIFA

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