The 2022–23 Brøndby IF season was Brøndby IF's 42nd consecutive season in top-division of the Danish football league, the 33rd consecutive in Danish Superliga, and the 57th as a football club. Besides the Superliga, the club also competed in the Danish Cup and this season's editions of the UEFA Europa Conference League. It was the fourth season with head coach Niels Frederiksen, after he replaced caretaker manager Martin Retov during the 2019–20 campaign.
The team started the season poorly and by the end of August were in the lower realms of the league table, where they remained until the winter break. As a result of the disappointing results, head coach Niels Frederiksen was sacked in November, and replaced by his former assistant Jesper Sørensen. By the end of March, results had improved somewhat and being in sixth place, they secured a spot in the championship round. The mixed results continued, and Brøndby finished the season in fifth place in the league table, missing out on European play-offs by a margin of seven points.
After winning the championship in 2021, head coach Niels Frederiksen had to watch his team slowly disintegrate. One key player after another had left (Jesper Lindstrøm to Eintracht Frankfurt in July 2021, Morten Frendrup to Genoa and Mikael Uhre to Philadelphia Union in January 2022), and the cohesive unit that had won the club's first championship in 16 years had transformed into a significantly different and more fragile entity by the start of the 2022–23 season.[2] On the opening matchday of the 2022–23 season, which took place on 17 July 2023 against AGF, Frederiksen made a notable change in his team's formation. He shifted from the previously successful 3–5–2 formation to a 4–3–3 setup, introducing academy players Mathias Kvistgaarden and the 16-year-old Oscar Schwartau into the attacking lineup.[3] However, the previously solid defensive structure seemed to have vanished, leading to an increased number of opportunities for their opponents. Subsequent matches were marred by tactical confusion as Frederiksen experimented with a 4–4–2 diamond formation; without improvement. The team continued to allow too many scoring opportunities to their rivals while struggling to create chances of their own.[4]
Part of the tactical confusion stemmed from a shortage of players capable of executing their roles within the system. The reinforcements that the squad had been craving arrived too late in the transfer window, which had immediate consequences for the results. This included an early exit from the UEFA Europa Conference League: after comfortably defeating Polish side Pogoń Szczecin 5–1 on aggregate, they were eliminated on penalties by Basel in the third qualification round.[5][6][7] In the league, Brøndby had also faced challenges, seeing them in 10th place in the league table at the end of August, after winning just two games and losing five in July and August, including a 4–1 loss to FC Copenhagen in the Copenhagen Derby on 7 August.[8] The derby was marred by hooliganism, including incidents of pyrotechnics, vandalism, and objects being thrown both before and during the match. Both teams were penalised with a DKK 300,000 and 150,000 fine, respectively, by the Football Disciplinary Board of the Danish Football Association (DBU).[9]
Late in the transfer window, Brøndby secured the services of high-profile signings Daniel Wass (left) and Ohi Omoijuanfo (right)
On 12 August 2022, just a day after their elimination from European competition, Brøndby made a significant announcement regarding the return of Daniel Wass to the club. This move had been surrounded by rumours for years, as fans eagerly anticipated his return to his childhood club.[10] Brøndby reportedly paid a fee of €1.7 million to La Liga club Atlético Madrid to secure his services, and Wass signed a three-year contract with the club.[11] Shortly before the transfer window closed, Brøndby also signed Ohi Omoijuanfo, a renowned target forward and prolific goal-scorer, from Red Star Belgrade.[12] This signing was aimed at strengthening their offensive capabilities.[13] Brøndby also welcomed Nicolai Vallys from Silkeborg to their squad, a player known for his ability to operate between the opponent's lines, using his exceptional vision to both create assists and score goals.[13]
September–December
After strengthening the team at the end of the summer transfer window, there was a noticeable improvement in results. Particularly, Omoijuanfo's clinical finishing enhanced the team's attacking play, leading to Brøndby going undefeated in the league throughout September and October. Nevertheless, during these eight games, the team drew five times, often experiencing defensive lapses late in matches as Frederiksen attempted to secure victories.[14] Consequently, they dropped points in the closing stages against teams such as Randers, Lyngby, and Copenhagen.[15][16][17] One of the key challenges for Brøndby was in their build-up play, as they struggled to find a player capable of efficiently transitioning the ball from defense to attack. Frederiksen primarily relied on Josip Radošević in that role, but his strengths didn't align with moving the ball forward and executing short passing. Additionally, the contributions from the full-back positions in possession were lacking consistency. Jens Martin Gammelby was in and out of the starting lineup, Daniel Wass transitioned from midfielder to right-back, and midfielder Christian Cappis had to cover the left-back position in the absence of Blas Riveros, who was sidelined due to injury.[14][18]
Things took a turn for the worse in Brøndby's Danish Cup match against third-tier club Aarhus Fremad on 19 October. Described as a "sensation," the team from Aarhus N secured a surprising 4–0 victory over Brøndby.[19][20] During the match, Brøndby was outplayed, and Aarhus Fremad led 3–0 at halftime.[21] The humiliating defeat has drawn comparisons to other historic "giant-killing" upsets in Danish Cup history.[22]
Due to Brøndby's poor performance in the first half of the season, head coach Niels Frederiksen was dismissed on 14 November, the day following the final game before the winter break, a 2–0 loss to Viborg.[23]
Global Football Holdings ownership
Alongside disappointing on-field performances, the club ownership situation was also marked by turbulence. Amidst rumors of chairman and top shareholder Jan Bech Andersen's potential sale to the American investment company Global Football Holdings (GFH), who already owned shares in other clubs including Beveren, FC Augsburg, Estoril, ADO Den Haag and Real Salt Lake, a press conference was scheduled for 28 October.[24] During the press conference, GFH announced their plans to initiate a tender offer to acquire slightly over 50% of Brøndby's shares. Following this acquisition, they intended to inject up to DKK 223 million (€30 million) into the club as a convertible loan. Bech Andersen would retain his role as chairman of the club and remain a major shareholder.[25]
The takeover of the club caused a division among supporters. Some welcomed the new financial and sporting ambitions it brought to the club, while others, particularly the vocal Alphaultras group, opposed it vehemently.[26] They believed that multi-club ownership went against the core values of Brøndby. By this point, Alpha had already suspended their matchday activities, creating a void in the game-day atmosphere.[27][28]
Protest movements emerged in response to the takeover, easily identifiable by their distinctive orange attire, in contrast to Brøndby's traditional yellow and blue colours.[29] These protests underscored the deep divide within the fan base.[30][31] Anti-ownership chants became a common occurrence, and the club's amateur branch, competing in the lower tiers of Danish football, experienced a surge in popularity, with many ultras shifting their support to these games.[32][33]
Amidst this tension, Fanafdelingen (lit.'The Fan Department'), represented by its chairman, Lars B. Petersen, and one of the new owners, Scott Krase, worked together to draft a legally binding "value agreement." This agreement aimed to uphold Brøndby's cultural identity and was approved by a significant majority of the 1,087 voters who participated in the 11 June 2023, vote.[32][34]
Under Sørensen's leadership, Brøndby had a strong start to 2023, defeating Horsens 5–2 on 19 February and securing a 1–0 away victory against Midtjylland on 27 February. These victories propelled them from 10th to 5th place in the league table.[40] However, the rest of the spring season posed more challenges, with two losses and a single win. Brøndby only managed to secure a spot in the championship round on the final matchday of the regular season due to Midtjylland and Silkeborg's draw. Despite a 2–1 away loss to Nordsjælland, Brøndby finished in sixth place as the league split into two.[40]
The away loss to Nordsjælland cast a shadow over Brøndby's first few games in the championship round. A 3–0 home loss to Viborg on 2 April and another 2–1 away loss to Nordsjælland deepened their concerns. However, the worst was yet to come when the team suffered a crushing 4–0 defeat at home to Randers on 23 April.[41] After this low point, the spring season took a positive turn for Brøndby as they lost only one game out of the remaining six. Particularly impressive during this period was Mathias Kvistgaarden, who scored six goals in six appearances.[42] Brøndby finished the season in 5th place in the table, seven points below the European play-off match.[43][44]
Players
Squad information
Notes:
Players and squad numbers last updated on 31 January 2023.[45] Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. Age as of 30 June 2023.
Appearances and goals last updated on 9 June 2023, including all competitions for senior teams.
Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Player* – Player who joined the club permanently or on loan during the season.
Player† – Player who departed the club permanently or on loan during the season.
Source: Danish Football Association(in Danish), Soccerway Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Away goals scored; 5) Play-off (played on neutral ground if determining teams for different rounds); 6) Draw.
Source: Danish Football Association(in Danish), Soccerway Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Away goals scored; 5) Play-off (played on neutral ground if determining teams for different rounds); 6) Draw.[88][89]
^"Csatárt igazolt a DVSC". DVSC Futball Zrt. (Press release) (in Hungarian). 25 May 2022. Archived from the original on 11 August 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
^"Peter Bjur solgt til AGF". Brøndby IF (Press release) (in Danish). 27 January 2023. Archived from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
