Frans Thijssen

Frans Thijssen (born 23 January, 1952 in Malden, Gelderland) is a former Dutch international footballer. He started his professional career in 1970 with NEC Nijmegen. In 1973 he moved to FC Twente, where the midfielder played for nearly six seasons.

Thijssen won fourteen caps for Holland and played in England for Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town, with whom he won the UEFA Cup in 1981. He also had a stint in the NASL with the Vancouver Whitecaps. In 1984 he returned to his native country, to play for Fortuna Sittard (1984-1987), FC Groningen (1987-1988) and Vitesse Arnhem (1988-1991).

After his active career he became a football manager. In 1995 he became manager for the Swedish club Malmö FF. A third place in the Swedish Allsvenska 1996 season was the best position he could manage during the four years he spent at Malmö FF. In the qualifying rounds of the 96/96 UEFA Champions League season Malmö was knocked out by the Croatian club, Hajduk Split.

After several seasons without success, Thijssen was sacked as manager for Malmö FF during the middle of season 98. At the time of his dismissal Malmö was in danger of being relegated to the first division(Superettan) for the first time in the club`s history. Thijssen was replaced by Roland Andersson and Thomas Sjöberg.

Honours

As a player

Ipswich Town
* UEFA Cup winner 1981
* English Footballer of the Year 1980-81 - the first overseas player to win this award.

External links

* [http://www.dutchplayers.nl/player.php?id=282 Dutch Players Abroad site for Thijssen]
* [http://www.beijen.net/frank/cvs/thijssen-f.htm Profile]