Jesper Fredberg

Jesper Fredberg (born 11 May 1981) is a Danish football director who is currently CEO of Sport Area at UC Sampdoria.

Before moving to Brussels, Fredberg worked as Sport Director in Viborg FF. He was a coach in Panathinaikos F.C.'s youth academy, previously having worked with the club's technical director, Nikos Dabizas, as the coach of AC Omonia's youth academy. Fredberg had a brief spell as caretaker manager for Omonia's senior side, replacing Ivaylo Petev for the last seven matches of the 2017–18 Cypriot First Division season. He had previously assisted Omonia's caretaker manager Akis Ioakim at the end of the 2016–17 season.

Playing career Born in Aarhus, Fredberg began his career as a professional player at the age of 15. He played in the club of AGF Aarhus.

Coaching career Fredberg came through as one of the youngest professional coaches in Danish football. He has worked as a trainer, but also as a Technical Director and Talent Detector. He left Denmark at the age of 35 to work at Omonia Nicosia as head coach and technical director in 2016.

A further move to Greek side Panathinaikos F.C. followed in 2018, before returning to his native Denmark to be technical director at Viborg FF.

In October 2022, Fredberg moved to Belgian Pro League side Anderlecht, who were rebuilding after the recent departures as coach of Vincent Kompany and Felice Mazzu. Fredberg appointed fellow Dane Brian Riemer as first-team coach, both joining with Anderlecht in 11th place in the place, where they would also eventually finish for their lowest placing since 1938. Anderlecht improved to a third-place finish in 2024, still in with a chance of winning the title going into the final day.

In the summer of 2024, Fredberg turned down an offer from FC Copenhagen to join them at the start of the season.

Riemer's dismissal as Anderlecht coach in September 2024 weakened Fredberg's hand, with Riemer sacked after losing a game against leaders Racing Genk that would have seen the Mauves go top had they won. With new coach David Hubert only winning one of his first five league games, Fredberg himself was dismissed on 30 October 2024.

Career 1998–2004: TST Football (Denmark) – Youths Head Coach 2005–2007: Brabrand IF (Denmark) – Youths Head Coach 2007–2009: Aarhus GF (Denmark) – Youths Head Coach 2010–2013: Brøndby IF (Denmark) – Youths Head Coach 2013–2014: Aarhus GF (Denmark) – Head Coach 2014–2016: Danish Football Association (Denmark) – Denmark Under-23 coach 2016–2018: Omonia Nicosia (Cyprus) – Technical Director and Academy Director 2018–2019: Panathinaikos – Technical Director and Academy Director 2019–2022: Viborg FF (Denmark) – Sporting Director 2022–2024: R.S.C. Anderlecht (Belgium) – CEO Sports 2025–Present: UC Sampdoria (Italy) – CEO Sports

Personal life Fredberg has a past in the Danish military as a sergeant in The Royal Guard and is a trained policeman. He speaks Danish, English, German, Swedish and Greek fluently.

Degrees and titles UEFA Pro Football Coach License recognized by FIFA MBA in Economics from Aarhus Business School MBA in Management from Aarhus Business School Sergeant in the Danish Royal Guard.