Brøndby left with gaps to fill

Following a long search, Brøndby IF named René Meulensteen as the man to succeed Michael Laudrup as coach of the ambitious Copenhagen team. The Dutchman left Manchester United FC's reserves for last season's Danish Superligaen runners-up, and no sooner had he arrived than other key personnel moved on.

Trio depart
The club were hit by three high-profile departures. Leading striker Johan Elmander quit for French Ligue 1 outfit Toulouse FC while Danish Under-21 international Jonas Kamper joined DSC Arminia Bielefeld in the German Bundesliga. Those two will be followed out of the door by Kamper's U21 team-mate Johan Absalonsen, who will head to rivals Odense BK in the winter. So far no replacements have been signed. "We have to work on getting at least a goalkeeper and one more forward, otherwise our squad will be too vulnerable, in the Superliga as well as in Europe," said Meulensteen.

København strong
Meulensteen's opposite number at champions FC København, Staale Solbakken, has had more reason for cheer. The Norwegian's charges are fancied to win the title for the second year running, a view bolstered by a trio of impressive recruits. Denmark winger Jesper Grønkjær has been landed from VfB Stuttgart, with the Swedish duo of left-back Oscar Wendt and forward Fredrik Berglund brought in from IFK Göteborg and Esbjerg fB.

OB surprise
Third last term, OB have managed to get success in the UEFA Intertoto Cup despite having lost players such as defender Ulrich Vinzents, midfielders Andrew Tembo and Nicolaj Stokholm, and forwards Mwape Miti and Jose Junior. At first sight, Mads Timm, Thomas Grahn and Peter Nymann did not look highly-qualified replacements, but so far things have gone remarkably well for Bruce Rioch's men who are just one game away from the UEFA Cup. They have a 1-0 first-leg lead against Scotland's Hibernian FC in the decisive tie.

Newcomers show intent
Elsewhere, top-flight newcomers Randers FC have signalled their intent on remaining among the élite by signing former Bulgarian international Todor Yanchev and Senegalese midfielder Djiby Fall. Fellow new boys Vejle BK have also been strengthening their squad with Estonian international Urmas Rooba coming from København.