Johan Elmander Names Michael Laudrup Best Player He Ever Trained With
Johan Elmander Crowns 40-Year-Old Michael Laudrup
In 2004, Brøndby IF signed Johan Elmander to the club, where he played alongside Daniel Agger, Thomas Kahlenberg, and Per Nielsen, tipsbladet.dk reported. Despite the presence of these major stars, head coach Michael Laudrup held the undisputed top stjernestatus on the Vestegnen. Laudrup had just turned 40 years old at the time and frequently participated directly in team training sessions.
Uncanny Vision on the Vestegnen Pitch
Johan Elmander recalled his time playing under Laudrup in a podcast appearance on fotbolltransfers.com, stating that the former Danish playmaker remains the best player he has ever trained with. Elmander noted that while Zlatan Ibrahimović ranks as the best overall teammate he played alongside, Laudrup possessed an uncanny vision. According to Elmander, Laudrup would simply place the ball precisely at a teammate’s feet, requiring only a simple run to receive it cleanly.
Johan Elmander Praises Michael Laudrup's Skill and Humility
Johan Elmander stated that Michael Laudrup was good and that he was the best player he had ever trained with, noting that Laudrup often participated in training sessions and added, “well, for heaven’s sake.”
During training drills, Laudrup would occasionally juggle the ball before hammering it 30 meters straight up into the air, bringing it down so it landed completely dead at his feet. Elmander also highlighted Laudrup’s character, describing him as an incredibly humble and pleasant person who led the Brøndby squad to a Danish championship title in 2005.
Fifteen Years of Superliga Drought
The 2005 Superliga title under Laudrup marked a high point for Brøndby IF that subsequent squads struggled to replicate. More than 15 years passed before the blue-and-yellow side managed to secure another Superliga championship victory. Johan Elmander ultimately brought his playing career to a close in 2018 and currently works as a football expert on Swedish radio.