So, I turned around, smashed my food into the bin,
and that's alright, I think Thomas, cool. Stay cool.
For ten seconds, turned around, smashed my foot into the bin again. And I said, no, no, no, cool.
I got a job at Brentford because Rasmus Ankersen, one of the two sporting directors, called me in
September, October 2016, and asked me if I wanted to be an assistant head coach for Dean Smith
together with Richard O’Kelly. My initial thought was hmm you know, I stopped as a head coach
for Brondby in March 2016 and after that I wanted a couple of months off, just to relax
and recharge the batteries and getting up to a normal energy level. But my ambition was
to be a head coach again, but it also was to actually get abroad – to try another country.
It was actually 50/50 of me, my career – I wanted to do something away from
Denmark – and 50, my wife, Nanna, and I and all three children wanted to
experience another culture, another challenge. So, there's always been that for me. You will never
find that work-life balance, you know, it's impossible, but you can try. But that was maybe
the best way we could do things. He [Ankersen] called me. I said yes to the first interview.
And after the first one, I remember I was stood out in Heathrow Airport and called my wife, Nanna,
and she said, “How was it?” because for her, it was perfect. It was London and I was an assistant
manager, so not all the pressure from being a manager or a head coach. And I was a little bit,
you know what, I'm a little bit in doubt. I could just hear her disappointment
in the voice. But anyway, after two other interviews, you know, the role and the club
was growing on me and in the end I said ‘yes’. And then I was assistant manager for almost
two years, until October ‘18. And at that stage, Dean Smith left for Aston Villa to be a head coach
there, and I was asked if I wanted to take over and step up and be the head coach. I gladly said
yes because that was the... I'm very pleased for what I learned as an assistant coach and
learned the club, [the] Championship, England; a lot of things I learned in that spell, but
now was the right time for me to be in charge again.
I think a big
one of the reasons why I decided to come to Brentford [the] first time,
when I was an assistant manager, was… there was a couple of things that really
were aligned with how I see things. For example, the style of play that they
were playing and that they wanted to develop even further with me in charge was the way I wanted to
play, in terms of, we wanted to be an aggressive, pressing team, plus we wanted to dominate
on the ball, really, really take charge of the games. So that was very interesting for
me because I think you need to have a unique or specific style of play that you believe in,
so that ticked the box. I think culture is as important and they had just a strong culture
that we have built even stronger, I would say, over the last five years, in terms of how we see
we should develop people and players and staff members.
But we have four, you know, main operating principles. Togetherness: we say a ‘no
dickheads’ culture, so only good people. We have hard work: you don't achieve anything without
hard work. We talk about performance: that's a big thing, performance first for everything.
And then we have attitude, and I always say confident but humble. So, those are the four
main operating principles we're constantly working with every single day. And then if you have the
style of play, you have the culture, I think it's extremely important how you recruit these players
that need to fit into the style of play and to the system. I think I more build the system around the
players. I have a system I think works the better, but I'm flexible in that aspect. And the way we've
done in Brentford in terms of recruitment, we are very big on the different models,
but of course, we watch a lot of games as well. So, the players need to fit the style of play,
need to fit as best as possible the position, and then the references need to fit the culture,
so no dickheads – good people, good persons – and we do a lot of references on that. When we then
get them in that culture, in the philosophy, in the idea of developing young people
we put a lot of effort. We put a lot of effort into it and a lot of resources into it. So,
for example, our coaching staff is very aware of it. My background is, I'm from talent development.
I've been a coach for 28 years now. For 21 years I was a talent developer, so that's, I'm born and
raised and that's, you know, my whole background so I'm very aware of that developing people. My
assistant head coach Brian Riemer the same; Kevin O'Connor also came through the B team as a coach,
so we're very, very focused on that. Then we have a sports psychologist, and we have a sleep coach.
Then we have a nutritionist, and we have chefs, then we have
a set-piece coach. Then we have, you know, we have a lot of external
resources, also other mental coaches that can help the other players to develop. So,
I think it's an area that we put a lot of effort into and a clear, clear structure
and alignment and really, really consistent in what we are doing day in, day out. And now I think
we are going towards, you can really see that more or less all our players, you know, are improving.
And then
just to see if the board, the owner, sports directors, you know, really trusted me. Then,
I decided to lose eight out of the first 10 games, and luckily they trusted me.
And from there on, we built, finished the season strong, found the system and the way to use the
players, and then we did like we always have done in Brentford, and sold our best players
for loads of millions of pounds, bought in quite a few that summer, actually – in summer 2019.
And we knew that we could build potentially a top six team –
that was the aim. I think the reason why I felt we had a chance to build a top-six team was that, of
course we lost out top scorer Neal Maupay to Brighton,
and we actually didn't get another striker in, which is quite remarkable, because we could see
that there was a big potential in Ollie Watkins to play as a striker, so we went all in on that.
So, actually the striker was in-house. He had already been with us for two years and
I remember clearly that Brian Riemer and I, we sat down with him and said, “You know, you're
not going anywhere now. There's no reason, if you're going to leave us,
you need to finish on a high. So this season you just had was an average season
if you need to go, you need to finish on a high.” We got a new goalkeeper, David Raya.
We got two new centre-backs, Ethan Pinnock and Pontus Jansson in. We got a number six in,
in Christian Norgaard, so that was the core of the defence. Keeper, two centre-backs and a six. Then,
we got another midfield in Mathias Jensen, we got a winger in Brian Mbuemo as well. So, that
was some really good players you can see now, but of course, it can take a little bit of time to get
the glue and the alignment in the team, but the foundation was there and I can just see – hmm –
when it's clicking. I don't know exactly [when] but then it just, you know, it started to click.
And in the end of the fall, we could see this looked really, really interesting.
We had four weeks or five weeks, and the two first weeks were,
we could only train them one-on-one the first week and then there were only five and five,
and it was very strange. But we find a good way to do it and still try to integrate the
different tactical bits. And then they came back in a good place. Of course,
we'd been in contact with them. And they got programs and all that. And then I think, we had
a few injuries just before the corona, so everyone was now fit so we could play our strongest
eleven and we did that, only changed a few, and then we just hit that momentum. So,
the first game against Fulham, played a good game and we won scoring the first goal in the 88th
minute and then in the injury time, won two-nil away. And then we played against West Brom, that
we beat one-nil in a fair and square win. And then we just got that momentum and confidence building,
and I think we won the next seven in a row in that after corona. And then we're going into
the next two, last two, and then the Stoke game – so we had Stoke and Barnsley left. And going
into the Stoke game, we knew that West Brom lost the night before we played 12.30 at Stoke, and
that was a different feeling. You suddenly, from us chasing West Brom, we suddenly, with
a win could go past them, automatic promotion and there were definitely some players that, you know,
could feel the pressure and the dynamic just changed. But I would say only two or three. Then,
you know, people saying, “Ah, they bottled it, when you're winning seven games on the spin and
then they can't win.” If anyone is watching that game, they will see a game we will win
or draw six or seven times out of ten. If you look at the chances, It's such a random game,
so it's crazy we didn't get a draw in that game, and even a draw would have been enough for us to,
you know, do everything in the last game. Anyway, we are then going into
the Barnsley game. We still know if, I think it is, if West Brom are not winning,
we, with a win against Barnsley, can get promoted. And then we're getting one nil down, and we come
back 1-1, and we're keeping all the pressure on Barnsley and we missed two big chances.
And then in the 90th minute – because Barnsley have to win as well – they they scored 2-1,
and then we find out that the West Brom has played 2-2 with QPR. So, that was quite tough to take.
There was a lot of frustrations, a lot of emotions in the dressing room,
that you need to take care of and how we turn that around, because that was, you know, that emotional
roller coaster you’re into. It's unbelievable. It's crazy. People can't understand it.
And then we need to prepare for the Swansea games – playoffs – because we still have a chance.
because we played every third day because we played every third day, because they're
so compressed, the season, so we need to get the team ready for the first semifinal. So we actually
got the team ready, we played relatively well, got a wrong red card, so another,
you know, hit to the face. So, we needed really to show the resilience. After the red card,
we lost one-nil, then going into the home game, we just battered Swansea and won 3-1, three nil up,
two nil after 30 minutes. That just shows all the strength and the capacity in that fantastic team.
Then we went into the play off final against Fulham, which we beat 1-0 and 2-0 in the season.
And then you're losing the play off final in extra time, on a on a mistake from maybe the
best goalkeeper in the division, David Raya in his first season. So, football is such a random
game that you can play your best game and one moment can decide the game. One little mistake.
We sold our two best players. Ollie Watkins and Said Benrahma,
maybe also two of the best players, or the two best players in Championship.
So, we, just produced a 25-goal scorer in Maupay, and then another one in Ollie Watkins.
And then we need to do it a third time. It was Ivan Toney that was the main man we
wanted to go for, and we were able to set up a meeting with him. And the way we do it is that
I present how I see our style of play. I present this role.
What are the key criterias that this striker needs to do in the way we play?
And then I show that he actually fits those key criteria. For example,
something how is he attacking the box. How is his link-up play and how is his pressing abilities?
So, I showed that it was actually more or less a perfect match for him to come to us,
and he was interested, but he was also a little bit in doubt. And then time went, and then I had
to call him from the minimal holiday I had in Denmark. I remember, I stood outside my
sister-in-law’s house, where we went to visit them. I had to call Ivan and I called him. I said,
“Ivan, you know, I don't get it. I know maybe other clubs are interested, but you know,
if you're coming to us, I said that in the meeting, I guarantee you, again, if you come
to us, you’re scoring minimum 25 goals. The way we play, the type you are, that's for sure.
And then either we get promoted and then we play in the Premiere together. If not, then you've
proven yourself that maybe – we never promise players that they can go – but maybe you get
the move to Premier League anyway. So, it’s Plan A. You score more than 25 goals and then we go
to the Premier League together. And we went to the Premier League together, and he scored 33 goals!
So, I could have lied to him. I should have said a little bit more. Going into that season,
I was fairly confident that we could do something big this year because, yes, we sold
two fantastic players, but I had a fantastic feeling that Ivan Toney could fill the role
And we went on this fantastic unbeaten run – 21 games in a row and were top of the table,
and then the injuries hit us. Two full-backs Rico Henry, Henrik Dalsgaard, Josh DaSilva were
the three main guys. we've been playing without Christian Norgaard 70% of the whole season, so
we struggled there. Managed to get back into it, but it was just too late to go automatic,
but when you have been through a playoff final and you haven’t won it,
then you want to win it that way, then you want to win promotion that way because that's just
the most terrifying and the biggest joy and when you succeed.
That Bournemouth game and the second [leg of the] playoff semi final, when we're talking
masterclass: that was a masterclass. Everything was prepared. We knew what they wanted to do.
I had a plan for, we had a plan for, of course, to change
things a bit. So, we actually did the final tactical meeting in the dressing room, short video
of the tactical bits, short video of the motivational stuff.
I also changed my speech before the game a tiny bit, so it was very rare I do it in a huddle,
but this time it did in a huddle. But instead of standing out there with the players, I stood
in the middle and I talked about we need to have a big presence and I pointed on Ivan Toney, and
we needed to be aggressive, and then I pointed on Ethan Pinnock – he's not that aggressive – and
Mathias Jensen, you need to be aggressive today. And we need coolness, and I pointed on
Sergi and Pontus, and so on, and I kept on for all the players.
And then Christian Norgaard, he was injured, unfortunately. In the warm-up, we knew it
was a tight one. And then he said something in the end – he asked if you could do that.
It was very emotional for everyone. I almost get, you know, goosebumps now when I think about it.
So, everything [was] planned.
I even ran a lap around the stadium, with only 4000 fans, to do everything
we could to maximise how to plan for plan ABCD, through the game, everything lined up. Perfect.
Then you start a fantastic first five minutes.
The 4000 sounded like 40000. On the front foot, pressed them on top of the game,
corner. A good opportunity. We have a very front-footed approach on the corners, how we
approach that. Danjuma running through, can't catch him. One nil down. Just standing there,
you're thinking, what are you doing? So, I turned around, smashed my food into the bin,
and that's alright, I think Thomas, cool. Stay cool. For ten seconds, turned around,
smashed my foot into the bin again. And I said, no, no, no, cool. Then we continued and got the
penalty to 1-1, and keep the pressure that just raised the level even more.
Got the red card to them. Half-time changed. Even more offensive. I need that's so I did it early.
So, then we scored 2-1 in the start of the second half, so I didn't wait for
that goal. But I wanted to do it early. And then it exploded when Marcus Forss scored for
3-1. That was maybe the best performance that season.
It's one of those moments where, you know, you work so hard for so many years,
and I’ve never had a big ambition that I wanted to be in the Premier League. Of course,
growing up and I went to Brentford I thought okay, now maybe we'll have an opportunity for
that. But you really want to achieve it and try it. So, it's the most purest feeling of joy,
relief, pride, you know, just running through your body. You know, the only thing I compare it to is,
you know, when my three children came to this fantastic earth. So, that's such a
such a big thing to achieve. And yeah, that moment on the pitch was fantastic, and I had a
pretty good afterparty as well. Our ambitions are to be an asset for the Premier League.
We know we're saying we're just a bus stop in Hounslow, but let's just trying to underplay it
a bit. We have big ambitions. But I think it's very important that it's, you know, actually
against nature, that we can fight in the Premier League against much bigger clubs that we even
actually get through to go to the Premier League. And we keep being able to fighting and performing
well. But to do it very simple. Massive focus on winning the next game and as high as possible.