Allan Simonsen

Borussia Mönchengladbach

In his first two seasons with Borussia Mönchengladbach, Simonsen had a hard time,

1977 was the greatest year in Simonsen's career. In the 1976–77 European Cup, Simonsen helped Mönchengladbach to the 1977 European Cup Final against English team Liverpool.

In the following two Bundesliga seasons, Simonsen continued his prolific goalscoring, as Mönchengladbach finished second and eighth respectively. He won another international trophy with Mönchengladbach in 1979, when he scored eight goals in eight games to guide the club to the final games of the 1978–79 UEFA Cup. He scored the deciding goal in the 2–1 1979 UEFA Cup Final win against Red Star Belgrade.

Barcelona Simonsen spent three successful seasons with Barcelona. as Barcelona finished in fourth place in the 1979–80 La Liga season. The following season saw several new players at Barcelona, and the club won the 1981 Copa del Rey. Simonsen's ten goals saw him as third top goalscorer behind new players Quini (20) and Bernd Schuster (11), as Barcelona finished in fifth place in the 1980–81 La Liga season. Simonsen was second goal scorer behind Quini, as the club finished second in the 1981–82 La Liga season. He also helped Barcelona reach the final of the continental 1981–82 European Cup Winners' Cup competition. In the 2–1 final victory against Standard Liège, Simonsen scored the deciding goal on a header to help Barcelona lift the trophy. His £1,300 per week wages had not been paid, and as a result, he was free to leave the club for nothing. Simonsen then chose to return to his childhood club VB in 1983.

Return to Vejle He missed the last half of the 1984 season for VB because of an injury he sustained at the 1984 European Championship, but the club managed to win the 1984 Danish championship without him. He returned as a profile of the top-flight Danish 1st Division, but never reached his former form.

He played a crucial part for the Danish national team under manager Sepp Piontek, in Denmark's qualifying campaign for the 1984 European Championship. Denmark trailed England in their qualifying group by a single point with a game in hand before the two teams met at England's home ground Wembley Stadium in September 1983. Simonsen scored one of the most important Danish goals ever in this game, as he converted a penalty kick against English goalkeeper Peter Shilton. as was confirmed by Denmark's later victory against Greece. Simonsen subsequently finished third in the vote for the 1983 European Footballer of the Year award.

The 1984 European Championship main tournament was a short experience for Simonsen, as he broke his leg in a challenge by Yvon Le Roux in Denmark's first match against France. The match was Italy vs. Europe for the benefit of the Irpinia earthquake victims. Simonsen started the game, scored a goal, and was substituted at half time as Europe won 3–0.

Style of play Simonsen predominantly played on the right wing or as a second striker. He is widely regarded as one of the best right wingers in the history of the Bundesliga.

Managerial career Following his retirement, Simonsen went on to coach his former club Vejle Boldklub from 1991 to 1994. During his time at the club, VB were relegated from the new top-flight Danish Superliga to the now second-tier Danish 1st Division. He later coached the national teams of the Faroe Islands from 1994 to 2001 and Luxembourg from 2001 to 2004. At the end of the 2012–13 season, Simonsen left both his positions at Fredericia.

Career statistics

Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague

International

Scores and results list Denmark's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Simonsen goal.

Honours Vejle Danish championship: 1971, 1972, 1984 Danish Cup: 1972

Borussia Mönchengladbach Bundesliga: 1974–75, 1975–76, 1976–77 DFB-Pokal: 1972–73 DFL-Supercup: 1977 UEFA Cup: 1974–75, 1978–79; runner-up: 1972–73 European Cup runner-up: 1976–77

Barcelona Copa del Rey: 1980–81 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1981–82

Individual Ballon d'Or: 1977 Onze de Bronze: 1977 kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season: 1974–75, 1975–76, 1976–77 Sport Ideal European XI: 1977 European Cup Top Scorer: 1977–78 UEFA Cup Top Scorer: 1978–79 La Liga Team of The Year: 1982 Danish Football Hall of Fame