November 18 – Former Spain and Barcelona superstar, Andres Iniesta dominated international and domestic football for decades on the pitch, and he’s now hoping to do the same except on the other side of the white lines after becoming the co-owner of Danish third-division side Helsingør.
Iniesta, who recently announced his retirement from playing said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity to get to know football in a different way.”
This collaboration between the Swiss investment group Stoneweg, and the Spaniards, newly formed sports management company NSN is his first off-field football adventure, though the 40-year-old is currently undertaking his coaching badges in the United Arab Emirates.
In a lengthy interview with the clubs’ website, the man who scored the winner in the 2010 World Cup Final said: “It’s an incredibly exciting club with really good facilities, a lot of good people in and around the club, and a potential in the city to become an important part of Danish football.”
Helsingør currently sit in 7th place in the 12-team division and are coached by fellow Spaniard, Pep Alomar, while the sporting director, Quim Ramón, has previously worked within Barça’s youth academy.
The Danish club was founded in 2005 when five clubs merged together, however, in their 20 years of existence they have never reached the top-flight. Iniesta believes that there is opportunity and ambition to change that saying: “It’s an incredibly exciting club with really good facilities, a lot of good people in and around the club, and a potential in the city to become an important part of Danish football.”
The ownership of Helsingør, has been something of a hot potato over the last few years as they were run by the American investment group led by Jordan Gardner for three seasons until August 2022, before being taken over by the local businessman Bo Bay Haugaard.
With Danish football a cheaper option than traditional European leagues, and a steady flow of talented young players, the opportunity to have ROI is attractive to sharp financial investors.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1734914121labto1734914121ofdlr1734914121owedi1734914121sni@o1734914121fni1734914121