Copenhagen appoint new head of scouting

FC Copenhagen have appointed Jesper Jansson as head of scouting.

He will join chief scout Lars Højer Nielsen, Scandinavia scout Bjarne Hansen and technical scout Frederik Leth at the club.

Over the past year FCK have worked intensively to strengthen the sporting set-up, with a number of promotions from the School of Excellence to the first team squad.

And manager Ståle Solbakken explained how Jesper’s arrival will further the School’s development.

- We consider the appointment of Jesper as a scoop for FC Copenhagen, Ståle said.

- He is experienced and very competent, which he has shown in his time in Helsingborgs, where he made a significant impression by putting together the squad that won the championship in 2011, and he made many good deals during his time at the club.

- We very much look forward to his arrival. He can now help FC Copenhagen with his great football knowledge, insight and networks that can help give us a big boost on the field.

Jesper is a former Sweden international defender and played for a number of clubs including Djurgårdens, Belgian side Genk and Helsingborgs.

Before his appointment at Telia Parken he was sporting director at Helsingborgs, a role he took up in 2008.

And Ståle discussed why FCK are making this new appointment.

- The fight for the best players has intensified significantly and economically we are up against stronger clubs in the international market, Ståle said.

- It means that we must be even better, even faster and even sharper to spot the best players first.

- Therefore we have been looking for a person who could make us even more competitive in the hunt for players who can perform at the international level. We are confident that Jesper has much to contribute.

Jesper joined his new club yesterday and revealed his readiness to get started on the job.

- FC Copenhagen for me is the Scandinavian Real Madrid and so it is great to get to work at the club, he said.

- It is a task I am very humble about and now I want to use these first days to learn about the club from the inside.

- After that I can start the job of helping Copenhagen reach the highest level and play in the Champions League.

Jesper Jansson

Position: Head of Scouting

Born: January 8, 1971

Former roles: Director of sport at Helsingborgs IF (2008-2015) and part of the sports management in Stabæk before.