Sune Smith-Nielsen says goodbye
After 17 years working for F.C. Copenhagen across various roles, Sune Smith-Nielsen is saying goodbye.
Sune's last day at F.C. Copenhagen came today, putting an end to an extraordinary spell at the club that has lasted for more than 17 years.
Sune joined F.C. Copenhagen in 2008 and went on to fulfil roles as a talent manager, development director and sports director. He was the very first employee in the club's history to work systematically on talent development and the establishment of an actual talent academy.
Under his leadership, the development of FCK's academy was completed with such great success that F.C. Copenhagen today has Denmark's leading talent academy - a five-star academy at the highest international level - based on the club's well-documented and in-house developed talent model, the FCK model.
The focus of the club's talent work is to educate the professional footballers of the future. Since 2008, some of Denmark's biggest football stars have represented and developed their skills at FCK Talent, while the U19 team has delivered great European performances in the UEFA Youth League.
At the same time, Sune has developed F.C. Copenhagen's work in children's football across Copenhagen and the surrounding area, and through FCK Børnefodbold (FCK Children's Football), the club today provides trained children's coaches to more than 75 partner clubs in the Copenhagen area. The core principle is that all children have the right to good training, regardless of their level.
In June 2024, Sune was appointed sports director and delivered historic transfers in both the summers of 2024 and 2025. In the 2024/2025 season, F.C. Copenhagen won the club's 16th championship and 10th Danish Cup, while the team has this season played the UEFA Champions League for the seventh time.
"I have had 17 fantastic years at F.C. Copenhagen, and it has been a great privilege to be part of the club's development over almost two decades," says Sune on the day he steps down as sporting director.
"It has been a particular pleasure to follow so many employees who have got their first job here, or started as students, and now hold major roles across the club, both around the first team, at FCK Talent and in children's football. It is not only player development, but also employee development, and I am proud to have made my contribution to that.
"I was at least as proud when I was appointed sporting director, and I would have liked to continue, but it was not to be. Despite today's circumstances, I am proud of the mark I have left on F.C. Copenhagen over the past 17 years.
"I would like to say a big thank you to all the employees I have met and worked with over the years. I will really miss all of the fantastic staff."
Everyone at F.C. Copenhagen thanks Sune and wishes him all the best in the future.
PARKEN Sport & Entertainment, F.C. Copenhagen and Sune Smith-Nielsen have no further comments.