Captain Køhlert leaves bridge for last time
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
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Tom Køhlert has been a friend in need to Brøndby IF but his latest rescue act in charge of the Danish club will be his last as the 61-year-old coach has handed the league leaders' reins to EURO '92 winner Kent Nielsen.
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It is said in Denmark that if ever the country is in mortal danger, a legendary warrior called Holger Danske will rise up and save her with his sword. Deep in a cellar of Hamlet's Kronborg castle in Elsinore sits a statue of Holger Danske – or Ogier the Dane – which, according to legend, will become flesh and blood whenever called upon to defend the nation.
To the rescue
The name Tom Køhlert hardly has such mythical resonances, but nonetheless he has been the man to whom Brøndby IF have turned in their dark days. Four times now Køhlert has come in as head coach, and on each occasion he has improved the team's standing in the Danish Superliga. Køhlert's latest – and, almost certainly, last – spell at the helm ended over new year when another Brøndby man, Kent Nielsen, took charge. Køhlert, 61, had taken two years to steer the side from a position close to the relegation places to top spot in the Superliga at the 2008/09 winter break.
Shy and retiring
The departing trainer could arguably have had a far greater career as a head coach had he not been so publicity-shy. The first time he handed over the reins, he said: "I don't like this increased attention from the press – this is one of my reasons for going." Such a retiring character seems at odds with the media-savvy modern game, and typically, Køhlert was also reluctant to step forward and take the applause after his final match at the Brøndby Stadion – the 2-0 league win against Vejle BK on 29 November. It was never going to be a teary farewell, with Køhlert saying: "This is no time for tears."
Players' manager
He may be an extremely private individual, but the coach is thought to cut a more relaxed figure when in his element, in the dressing room or on the training pitch. Here, this players' manager can offer a ready smile and a quick remark when required. Such an attitude may be the secret of his successes with Brøndby, which now span more than a quarter of a century. Having eschewed the spotlight for good though, Køhlert will concentrate on what, he believes, he does best – developing young talent. He betrayed no emotion when leaving the main stage, yet he can be confident the future is in the safe hands of EURO '92 winner Nielsen.