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Lars Jacobsen
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Lars Christian Jacobsen (born 20 September 1979) is a Danish retired professional footballer who played as a right back. He is currently an assistant coach of HB Køge.

Key Information

During a 20-year playing career, Jacobsen represented the Denmark national football team between 2006 and 2015, and also played abroad for football clubs in Germany, England and France.

Club career

[edit]

Odense Boldklub

[edit]

Born and raised in Odense, Funen, Jacobsen started his career with local top-flight team Odense Boldklub. Prior to joining Odense Boldklub, he attended Sanderum School and once played as a striker before switching position to a defender.[2] His talent was quickly discovered, as he played 58 matches for various youth national teams, and won the 1997 Danish under-19 Player of the Year award.[3] He made his senior debut for OB in the 1996–97 Danish Superliga season.

Jacobsen got his big break-through the following season, when he played 15 first team matches, even though the club was relegated to the 1st Division. He helped the club win promotion the next season. His most notable result with OB came in the 2002 Danish Cup final. OB won 2–0 against defending Superliga champions Copenhagen, and he was named "Cup Fighter" (man of the match) as the club won its first trophy in nine years.

Hamburger SV

[edit]
Jacobsen warming up before his West Ham debut game, against Chelsea.

After the cup triumph, Jacobsen moved abroad to play for German club Hamburg on pre-contract, effectively starting from the 2002–03 season.[4][5]

He made his Hamburger SV debut on 11 September 2002, making first start in a 2–1 loss against Wolfsburg[6] and was featured again, this time in the right midfield position, in a 2–0 win over Kaiserslautern four days later on 15 September 2002.[7] On 10 May 2003, he scored his first goal for the club, in a 4–1 win over Bayer 04 Leverkusen.[8] Jacobsen finished his first season at Hamburger SV having made twelve appearances and scoring once.

However, his second season at Hamburger SV was marked with injury[9] and he spent the first half of the season on the substitute bench, restricting him to ten appearances. In the winter transfer window of 2004, he moved back to Denmark to play for Copenhagen.[10] During his time at Hamburger SV, Jacobsen made 22 appearances and scored one goal.

FC Copenhagen

[edit]

His move to FC Copenhagen caused a hostile reaction from OB supporters, causing a strained relationship. Several years on, OB supporters made it very obvious that he would not be welcome back at OB as a result of choosing FC Copenhagen over OB.[11] At FC Copenhagen, he was assigned the number two shirt and he quickly became a part of the starting line-up, playing in different defensive positions. He established himself at right full back, and in FCK's 2005–06 season, he played full-time as the club won the Superliga championship; 2,970 minutes in 33 matches. He was selected by national team coach Morten Olsen for the Danish national team in spring 2006. He made his national team debut on 1 March 2006, and played all 90 minutes of the friendly match against Israel, a 2–0 win. He went on to play eight national team games in a row before Morten Olsen decided to spare the FCK players in November 2006, due to FCK's tough autumn schedule with several games in the international 2006–07 UEFA Champions League tournament. Nevertheless, Jacobsen was nominated for the Danish Football Player of the Year at the end of 2006, but lost out to Christian Poulsen.[12]

Jacobsen was one of several FCK players who gathered international attention in FCK's UEFA Champions League games. A number of European clubs were reportedly interested in buying him, among them Everton, PSG and his former club Hamburger SV. However, in December 2006, he agreed with FCK to stay at the club until his contract ran out, helping the club defend the Superliga championship.[13]

1. FC Nürnberg

[edit]

However, three days later, Jacobsen signed a contract with German club Nürnberg starting from July 2007, giving him a three-year contract until 2010.[14][15]

On 12 August 2007, he made his debut for the club in a 2–0 loss against Karlsruhe, where he made his first start before coming off in the second half.[16] His stay with the German club was troubled because of injuries and the club also failed to stay in the German Bundesliga.[17] At one point, Jacobsen had to have his four wisdom teeth taken out.[18][19][20] Due to injury he played only once in the first half of the season, returning towards the end of the season in a 1–0 win over Wolfsburg on 20 April 2008.[21] He played the last five games of the season on the right of defence, which had been a vulnerable area for the club.

He requested a transfer which was granted in late June 2008.[22] This came after Jacobsen was considering his future and feared for his career after having injuries in groin, knee and back.[23][24] After his release, French side Olympique de Marseille were keen to sign him.[25] Jacobsen rejected a move to Norwegian side Rosenborg.[26]

Everton

[edit]

On 26 August 2008, Jacobsen signed a one-year contract with English Premier League club Everton on a free transfer and was assigned squad number 15.[27] Upon joining Everton, he said the offer from Everton motivated him to join, stating that it was his ambition to join the club by turning down offers from Spain and France.[28]

After missing much of his debut season after injuring his shoulder,[29] Jacobsen made his Premier League debut on 21 March 2009, in an away match against Portsmouth.[30] Following the match, he said he was glad to make his debut and was expected to get more playing time.[31]

On 16 May 2009, Jacobsen played 90 minutes in a 3–1 win against future club West Ham United. He went on to play in the 2009 FA Cup Final, coming on as a substitute at half time for Tony Hibbert where he helped to nullify the threat posed by Florent Malouda down the left wing.[32] Prior the match, he said "It would be a dream come true. When you are a boy, you would like to play at Parken, but to play at Wembley is bigger."[33] Despite making only 13 appearances, Everton were keen to keep Jacobsen, which convinced David Moyes, stating that he deserved a new contract.[34]

Blackburn Rovers

[edit]

On 29 June 2009, Jacobsen joined Blackburn Rovers on a two-year deal from Everton.[35] He stated the move was motivated when they offered him a two-year contract and turned down a one-year contract with Everton as a result.[36]

On 15 August 2009, he made his debut for the club in a 2–0 loss against Manchester City. At the end of the 2009–10 season with Blackburn, he had made 15 appearances in all competitions. With a lack of first team opportunities behind Míchel Salgado and Pascal Chimbonda, Jacobsen stated he felt he should get more playing time and that he would not get picked for Denmark in the World Cup if he did not get more playing time.[37]

He made only one appearance in the 2010–11 season, in the League Cup win against Norwich City, on 24 August 2010.[38]

West Ham United

[edit]
Jacobsen and Manuel da Costa attempted to clear the ball from Andrei Arshavin.

On 31 August 2010, transfer deadline day, Jacobsen signed a one-year contract with West Ham United on a free transfer, the deal being completed on 1 September, at 5.05pm due to paperwork issues between the two football clubs.[39] He made his debut for West Ham on 11 September in a 3–1 home defeat to Chelsea at Upton Park.[40] He was released by West Ham in June 2011.[41] At the end of the 2010–11 season, West Ham United were relegated.

Return to FC Copenhagen

[edit]
Jacobsen playing for FC Copenhagen.

Following his release by West Ham, Jacobsen was linked with several clubs around Europe despite him being keen to move back to the Danish Superligaen.[42] On 13 September 2011, he was set to join AS Saint-Etienne[43] on a free transfer but on 16 September, Jacobsen opted to join his former club Copenhagen instead and was given number two shirt.[44]

He made his debut for Copenhagen in a 2–0 victory over Aalborg.[45] In a match against AC Horsens, he was injured and feared that his injury could leave him on a sideline for a long time.[46] Fortunately, his injury was not as severe as expected.[47] In his first season, Jacobsen established himself in the right-back position and went on to make twenty-five appearances. Although they failed to win the Superliga as they finished second behind Nordsjælland,[48] they nevertheless managed to win the Danish Cup after beating Horsens 1–0 in the final.[49] During the season, he signed a new contract with the club that would keep him until 2014.[50]

The 2012–13 season saw Jacobsen appointed as a new captain.[51] He provided an assist for César Santin to score the only goal in a 1–0 against Lille in Copenhagen's 1–0 home victory for the play-off round of the Champions League.[52] However, Lille bounced back in the second leg to win 2–0, eliminating Copenhagen.[53] Later in the 2012–13 season, he provided seven assists in 40 appearances in all competitions and went on to play an important role when he led the club to win the Danish Superliga for the tenth time.

The 2013–14 season saw Jacobsen providing four assists in the first ten matches at the start of the season. He scored his first Copenhagen goal of his second spell in a 1–1 draw against Randers on 27 October 2013.[54] He also captained six of the club's matches in the Champions League group stage.[55] Against Juventus on 27 November 2013, he conceded a penalty in a 3–1 loss.[56] However, as the season progressed, he soon lost his first team place to youngster Christoffer Remmer and was demoted to the substitute bench. Jacobsen finished the 2013–14 season making 26 appearances and scoring once.[57] Copenhagen failed to defend their title after losing to Aalborg.[48]

On 11 March 2014, he announced that he was to leave FC Copenhagen at the end of the 2013–14 Superliga season.[58] After stating his intention to leave the club, Jacobsen soon attracted interest across around Europe, which was surprising because he stated that Copenhagen would be his last club before ending his playing career.[59][60]

Guingamp

[edit]

Jacobsen joined Ligue 1 side Guingamp on a two-year contract, which included an extension option.[61]

He made his debut for the club, where he started as a right-back, as Guingamp lost 2–0 to Paris Saint-Germain, in the Trophée des Champions.[62] He made his league debut in the opening game of the season, in a 2–0 loss against Saint-Étienne.[63] At the start of the season, he suffered twice a knee injury.[64][65] Jacobsen then scored first Guingamp goal on 7 December 2014, in a 3–2 win over Reims.[66] In his first season at Guingamp, he made 25 appearances and scored one goal.

His second season at Guingamp saw him make thirty-two appearances despite being absent from the squad three times due to injuries.[67][68] Jacobsen subsequently retired at Guingamp after fulfilling his contract at the end of the 2015–16 season, having previously stated it will be his last season.[69] Two days later, on 14 May 2016, Jacobsen made his last appearance of his career, in the last game of the season, in a 3–2 loss against Nice.[70]

International career

[edit]
Lars Jacobsen playing for Denmark.

In 1995, Jacobsen made his debut for Denmark at Denmark U16 level. In subsequent years, he represented national youth sides in various age categories: U17 (11 games), U19 (19 games, 1 goal) and U21 (26 games).

Jacobsen did not make his senior team debut until the 2006 friendly 2–0 win against Israel.[71] He scored his first and only Denmark national goal in a 4–1 win over Cyprus in the Euro 2012 qualifier on 7 October 2011.

Under Morten Olsen, Jacobsen became a regular member of Denmark's first eleven and was part of Denmark's squads for World Cup 2010[72] and Euro 2012.[73] He retired from the national team after Denmark missed qualification for Euro 2016.[74]

International goals

[edit]
Scores and results list Denmark's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 7 October 2011 Nicosia, Cyprus  Cyprus 1–0 4–1 Euro 2012 qualifier

Personal life

[edit]

In late 2009, Jacobsen became a father.[75]

Coaching career

[edit]

On 31 March 2021, it was confirmed that Jacobsen and former teammate and Danish international player, Daniel Agger, would take charge of Danish 1st Division club HB Køge, affective from 1 July 2021.[76]

On 5 of September 2023 DBU announced Jacobsen will be new assistant coach for Denmark national under-18 football team.[77]

Honours

[edit]

Club

[edit]

Odense

Hamburger SV

F.C. Copenhagen

Everton

Individual

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Lars Jacobsen

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Lars Christian Jacobsen (born 20 September 1979) is a Danish former professional footballer who primarily played as a right back during a career spanning over two decades. He represented the national team 87 times between 2006 and 2015, earning three caps at . Since retiring in 2016, Jacobsen has transitioned into coaching, currently serving as an assistant manager for the U18 national team. Jacobsen began his professional career with his hometown club (OB) in 1997, making over 100 appearances before moving to in the German in 2003. He achieved significant success with , joining in 2006 and winning four titles and one during two stints with the club (2006–2008 and 2011–2014). His career also included spells at (2007–2008), Everton (2008–2010), where he made 5 appearances, Blackburn Rovers (loan, 2010), and West Ham United (2010–2011). He returned to before concluding his playing days with EA Guingamp in (2015–2016). Standing at 181 cm and known for his versatility and defensive solidity, Jacobsen was capped 87 times by , scoring once, and featured in the qualifiers and Euro 2012. Post-retirement, he has taken on assistant coaching roles, including at starting in 2021, prior to his current position with the Danish youth setup since 2023.

Early life

Youth career

Lars Christian Jacobsen was born on 20 September 1979 in , . Growing up in his hometown, Jacobsen showed an early interest in football and began playing in local youth teams before joining the youth setup of (OB), the prominent local club. He progressed through the OB youth academy starting in the mid-1990s, featuring for the U19 team from July 1995 to June 1996. One notable youth achievement came earlier, at age 13 or 14, when he helped Sanderumskolen win the Skolefodboldfinalen in 1993, playing as a striker in the 1–0 victory over Marievangskolen. His time in the OB youth ranks laid the groundwork for his senior debut in the 1996–97 season.

Family background

Lars Christian Jacobsen was born on 20 September 1979 in , , where he spent his early years in the Sanderum neighborhood on the island of . His family maintained deep roots in the local community, with a strong emphasis on football heritage that shaped his environment. Jacobsen's grandfather, Børge Jacobsen, played in the lower divisions for (OB), while his father, Søren Jacobsen, was a skilled striker for Odense KFUM, offering consistent encouragement for his son's emerging interest in the sport. No specific details on parental occupations beyond this athletic involvement are publicly documented. He attended Sanderumskolen, a local primary school.

Club career

Odense Boldklub

Lars Jacobsen made his senior debut for hometown club Odense Boldklub (OB) during the 1996–97 Danish Superliga season, shortly after turning 17 and progressing from the club's youth academy. His early breakthrough came amid OB's mid-table campaign, where the team finished 7th in the league. A notable early appearance was his European debut on 21 July 1996, starting in OB's 2–0 UEFA Intertoto Cup group-stage loss to Samsunspor. Over his six-year tenure from 1996 to 2002, Jacobsen established himself as an emerging right-back, making 112 appearances and scoring 2 goals across all competitions. After limited minutes in his debut (5 appearances) and the following year (15 appearances), he faced a setback in 1998–99 when OB suffered relegation to the 1st Division following a 12th-place finish in the Superliga. Returning to the top flight after OB's promotion in , Jacobsen became a regular starter, featuring in 26 matches with 1 goal during the 1999–2000 Superliga (11th place) and contributing defensively to improved results, including a career-high 34 appearances in 2001–02 as OB secured 5th position—their best league finish since 1991. His tactical role emphasized solid defending on the right flank, with occasional overlapping runs to support attacks, helping stabilize OB's backline during their post-promotion consolidation. In summer 2002, Jacobsen left OB for Hamburger SV on 10 June, marking his first move abroad to the Bundesliga. The transfer, listed as free on some records, reflected his growing reputation as a promising defender ready for a higher competitive level.

Hamburger SV

Jacobsen transferred from Odense Boldklub to Hamburger SV in the summer of 2002 on a free transfer after his contract with the Danish club expired. This move marked his first experience in European football outside Denmark, building on his established role as a right-back in the Danish Superliga. During the 2002–03 season, Jacobsen adapted to the Bundesliga by making 12 appearances, primarily as a substitute, and scored his sole goal for the club on 10 May 2003 in a 4–1 home win against . He also featured twice in the , where advanced to the round of 16 before elimination by . In the following 2003–04 season, his involvement increased slightly with 10 Bundesliga outings (9 starts and 13 substitute appearances overall across both seasons), though he often competed for a starting spot in a competitive squad that finished fourth and eighth in the league, respectively. Jacobsen's time at Hamburger SV was characterized by gradual integration into a higher-intensity league, with limited starts reflecting the challenges of establishing himself amid established defenders. He made two additional DFB-Pokal appearances in 2003–04, contributing to early-round victories including a 4–2 win over SpVgg Unterhaching. In January 2004, during the winter transfer window, Jacobsen departed Hamburger SV on a free transfer to return to Denmark with FC Copenhagen, having accumulated 22 Bundesliga appearances and one goal in total during his 18-month stint.

FC Copenhagen

Lars Jacobsen joined from on 1 January 2004, signing a contract that marked his return to Danish football after a brief stint in the . He quickly integrated into the squad, making his debut in the spring of that year and establishing himself as the first-choice right-back due to his prior experience in European competitions at HSV. During his first tenure at from 2004 to 2007, Jacobsen made 103 appearances and scored 3 goals across all competitions, including 12 matches in the group stages and qualifying rounds. His contributions were pivotal in the team's defensive solidity, where he averaged over 90% pass accuracy in league play and helped secure multiple clean sheets in key matches, often partnering with central defenders like to form a robust backline. Jacobsen played a key role in FC Copenhagen's domestic success, contributing to three Danish Superliga titles in the 2003–04, 2005–06, and 2006–07 seasons, with notable performances in the 2006–07 campaign where he provided 6 assists in 30 league starts. Although the team did not win the Danish Cup during this period, his versatility and crossing ability from the right flank supported attacking transitions, exemplified by his 3 goals (all penalties) in the 2005–06 title-winning season. In July 2007, Jacobsen left on a free transfer to sign a three-year contract with , seeking a new challenge in the after a successful spell in .

1. FC Nürnberg

In the summer of 2007, Lars Jacobsen transferred to from on a free transfer, agreeing to a three-year deal ahead of the season. The move was intended to provide the Danish right-back with regular playing time in Germany's top flight following his successful stint in , where he had contributed to multiple league titles. However, Jacobsen's time at Nürnberg proved challenging from the outset, marked by fierce competition for the right-back position from established players like Angelo Vaccaro and Robert Vittek's versatility in defense. Jacobsen made just seven appearances in the during the season, all as a substitute or in limited starts, without recording any goals or assists. His opportunities were severely curtailed by recurring injuries that sidelined him for much of the campaign, from mid-August 2007 until early April 2008, forcing him to miss the majority of matches and undergo prolonged rehabilitation. These setbacks not only limited his integration into the squad but also coincided with personal frustrations over his fitness and form, as he later reflected on the toll of the injuries during an international break. Tactically, when fit, Jacobsen was deployed in his familiar right-back role, focusing on defensive solidity and overlapping runs, though he had few standout moments amid the team's struggles. Nürnberg endured a turbulent season, finishing 16th in the and entering a promotion/relegation playoff against Energie , which they lost 2–5 on aggregate, resulting in relegation to the . The club's relegation battle saw multiple coaching changes, including the sacking of Hans Meyer in February 2008, adding to the instability Jacobsen faced. Following the season's conclusion in May 2008, Jacobsen departed the club as a , marking the end of his brief and injury-plagued spell in .

Everton

Jacobsen joined Everton on a free transfer on 26 August 2008, signing a one-year contract and taking squad number 15 after passing a medical. This move followed a challenging spell at , where injuries had restricted him to just seven appearances. However, his time at Everton was quickly disrupted by injury; on 10 September 2008, less than three weeks after signing, Jacobsen dislocated his shoulder during Denmark's World Cup qualifier against , sidelining him for at least three to four months. The injury required assessment and rehabilitation by Everton's medical staff, with Jacobsen expressing disappointment but determination to recover swiftly. Recovery proved slower than anticipated, as the shoulder issue lingered beyond initial estimates, delaying his full fitness until early ; Jacobsen targeted a pre-Christmas return but ultimately resumed training gradually with team support. He credited Everton's team and teammates for aiding his rehabilitation, which included intensive sessions to regain strength and prevent recurrence. Upon returning, Jacobsen made only five appearances in the 2008–09 season, reflecting his ongoing adaptation and competition for places. Despite the injury setbacks, Jacobsen featured in the against Chelsea on 30 May 2009 at , entering as a substitute at halftime for the injured in Everton's 2–1 defeat. His expired at the end of June 2009, after which he departed Everton on a free transfer to Blackburn Rovers, seeking more consistent playing time.

Blackburn Rovers

In June 2009, following his release from Everton due to ongoing injury issues that had hampered his debut season in , Lars Jacobsen signed a two-year contract with Blackburn Rovers to revive his career. Jacobsen quickly adapted to the demands of the , establishing himself as the first-choice right-back during Blackburn's 2009–10 campaign. He made 13 appearances, totaling 1,033 minutes, and provided reliable defensive cover amid the team's early struggles, which saw them flirt with the relegation zone after a poor start with just seven points from their first ten matches. His performances helped stabilize the backline, contributing to key results such as a 2–1 victory over Aston Villa and a 3–2 derby win against . Notable for his tenacity in high-stakes fixtures, Jacobsen started against top sides including (a 6–2 defeat on 4 October 2009) and Chelsea (a 5–0 loss on 24 October 2009), where he focused on containing attacking threats despite the adverse outcomes. A injury sidelined him from March to April 2010, limiting his involvement as recovered to finish 10th in the table.

West Ham United

Jacobsen joined West Ham United on a free transfer from Rovers on 1 2010, signing a one-year contract after the move was approved by the . The Danish international, who had featured in 13 matches for during the previous season, was brought in by manager to provide experience and competition at right-back. In the 2010–11 Premier League season, Jacobsen became a key squad member, making 24 appearances in the top flight without scoring, alongside 2 in the and 1 in the , for a total of 27 outings. He made his debut on 11 September 2010 in a 0–3 home loss to Chelsea and quickly integrated into the defense, often starting in the right-back position during West Ham's struggle against relegation. Jacobsen's progress was hampered by a heel injury sustained in a 3–1 win over Wigan Athletic on 27 November 2010, sidelining him for 10 consecutive matches until his return in a 3–3 draw against Birmingham City on 5 February 2011. The , combined with squad rotation involving defenders such as , meant he alternated between starting roles and the bench in the second half of the campaign, featuring in 11 of the final 14 league games. At the conclusion of the season, during which West Ham were relegated to the Championship, Jacobsen was among several players released by the club on 16 June 2011. His departure allowed him to pursue opportunities back in Denmark, ending a brief but eventful stint in east London.

Return to FC Copenhagen

After being released by West Ham United following their relegation to the Championship in 2011, Lars Jacobsen returned to FC Copenhagen, the club where he had first established himself as a professional during his initial stint from 2002 to 2007. On September 16, 2011, he signed a short-term contract until the end of the calendar year, marking a homecoming to Danish football after several years abroad. This move allowed the 31-year-old right-back to leverage his Premier League experience in a familiar environment. Jacobsen quickly became an integral part of the squad, with his contract extended in early to run until summer 2014. Over the three seasons from 2011 to 2014, he made 81 appearances and scored 1 goal in all competitions, including outings in the group stage during the 2013–14 campaign against teams like Manchester United and Bayer Leverkusen. As a seasoned defender, he assumed duties on multiple occasions, providing stability at right-back and leadership in high-stakes matches. His presence as a veteran leader was particularly valuable in mentoring younger players, helping to foster a competitive team dynamic amid FC Copenhagen's domestic dominance. Jacobsen contributed significantly to the club's success, notably playing a key role in securing the Danish Superliga title in the 2012–13 season, while also featuring prominently in runners-up finishes during the 2011–12 and 2013–14 campaigns. In summer 2014, at age 34 and out of contract, Jacobsen departed for a new challenge in France with Guingamp, seeking to extend his career abroad once more.

Guingamp

In the summer of 2014, Lars Jacobsen transferred to club from on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract with an option for extension. He joined a Guingamp side that had recently won the 2013–14 , though Jacobsen arrived after the final and did not participate in that triumph. During his debut season in 2014–15, he established himself as a reliable right-back, making 25 appearances and scoring once, in a 3–2 victory over on 7 December 2014. Over his two years at the club, Jacobsen featured in 57 matches, contributing 1 goal and 2 assists while providing defensive stability during his 57 appearances. In the 2015–16 campaign, at age 36, Jacobsen continued to play a significant role early on, appearing in 32 fixtures with 31 starts, but his involvement tapered toward the season's end due to the physical demands of the position and emerging younger options in the squad. He also contributed in cup competitions, making 6 appearances in the across both seasons without scoring, helping advance to the quarter-finals in 2014–15 before their elimination by . Overall, his tenure totaled 73 appearances and 1 goal in all competitions for , marking a steady winding down of his professional playing career abroad. On 14 May 2016, Jacobsen announced his retirement from professional football at the conclusion of his contract, citing his age of 36 and a desire to transition into coaching, having fulfilled two seasons with the Breton club.

International career

National team career

Lars Jacobsen made his debut for the Denmark national team on 1 March 2006, starting in a 2–0 friendly victory against in . This appearance marked the beginning of his international tenure, initially as a squad player during the qualification campaign for , where he featured in six matches as advanced to the tournament, though they exited in the group stage without his involvement. Under Morten Olsen, Jacobsen gradually established himself as a regular starter, earning a total of 81 caps by the end of his career. His consistent performances in friendlies and qualifiers solidified his role at right-back, with notable contributions in the 2008–09 qualifying group, where he played in eight fixtures, helping Denmark secure second place and a playoff spot, ultimately qualifying after defeating Sweden. Jacobsen also appeared in 17 qualifiers overall, including the 1–1 draw against Portugal in 2009 that contributed to securing qualification for the 2010 tournament. Jacobsen was included in Denmark's squad for the in , where he started all three group stage matches against the (2–0 loss), (2–1 win), and (1–3 loss), as the team finished third in Group E and was eliminated. He continued as a mainstay in the qualifiers, participating in ten games, including a 4–1 home win over that helped Denmark top Group K. At the finals in and , Jacobsen played in all three group encounters: a 1–0 upset victory over the , a 3–2 defeat to , and a 2–1 loss to , resulting in another group-stage exit. In the years following Euro 2012, Jacobsen remained a key defender, featuring in eight qualifiers, such as the 2–0 win against in September 2014. Denmark finished second in their group and lost a playoff to on aggregate. Jacobsen announced his retirement from international duty on 17 November 2015 after the second leg, a 2–0 win over (his 81st cap).

International goals

Lars Jacobsen, primarily known for his defensive contributions, scored his sole goal for the national team during a match against on 7 October 2011. In the 7th minute at in , Jacobsen capitalized on a turnover in Cyprus's defense, receiving a pass from teammate before diverting the ball into the net to open the scoring in what became a 4–1 victory. This early goal set the tone for Denmark's dominant performance in Group H, helping secure their qualification for the tournament finals with a crucial three points against a lower-ranked opponent. As a right-back with over 80 caps for , Jacobsen's goal was a rare offensive highlight in an otherwise defensively oriented international career.
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
17 2011, , 1–04–1

Coaching career

HB Køge

Lars Jacobsen began his coaching career in March 2021 when he was appointed as first-team coach at in the , partnering with former Denmark international as . The duo signed contracts until summer 2024, marking Jacobsen's entry into professional management after his playing in 2016. Their role involved overseeing the club's second-tier squad, focusing on daily training, match preparation, and squad development within a competitive league environment. During their tenure, Jacobsen and Agger guided to notable improvements. In the 2021–22 season, the team finished seventh in the 1st Division regular season before securing a mid-table position overall with 10 wins, 12 draws, and 10 losses over 32 matches. The following 2022–23 campaign saw mixed results, with finishing 8th in the 22-match regular season (7 wins, 4 draws, 11 losses, 25 points), before ending 2nd in the relegation round with a total of 44 points from 32 matches (13 wins, 5 draws, 14 losses), avoiding relegation. Jacobsen's background as a right back influenced the team's emphasis on solid defensive organization and full-back play, contributing to a more structured approach that enhanced overall team performance and player growth in the second tier. Jacobsen departed in June 2023 after two seasons, alongside Agger, as the pair opted not to extend their stay despite the club's invitation to continue. This move allowed Jacobsen to pursue a new opportunity in international youth coaching with the Danish national setup.

Denmark U18

On 5 September 2023, the Danish Football Association (DBU) announced that Lars Jacobsen had been appointed as assistant coach for the national under-18 football team, effective immediately. In this role, Jacobsen supports the head coach during training camps and match preparations, leveraging his extensive playing experience to contribute to the development of young players. He expressed enthusiasm for the position, stating it was an exciting opportunity to work with top talents in the age group and assist in their progression toward higher levels. Jacobsen's duties emphasize tactical preparation and player mentoring within the youth national team setup, with a particular focus on defensive strategies informed by his background as a professional right-back. Since joining, he has collaborated closely with head coaches, initially under Jens Olsen in 2023 and until mid-2025, and later with Morten Mølkjaer from July 2025 onward, to foster skill development and team cohesion. This partnership has aimed at preparing players for transitions to senior or other youth international teams, with several U18 squad members advancing to the U19 or U21 levels during his tenure. Under Jacobsen's involvement, the Denmark U18 team has participated in various international friendlies and development tournaments. Notable fixtures include a 1–0 victory over Croatia in October 2023 during a training camp, a 0–2 loss to Morocco in the March 2024 development tournament, and a 0–1 defeat to Portugal U18 in the same month. In 2024–2025, the team competed in additional friendlies, such as a 1–0 win over Sweden in September 2024 and a 2–1 victory against Finland in November 2024, alongside challenges like a 4–0 loss to Morocco in October 2024. In 2025, highlights included a 4–2 win over Wales in March and a 4–1 victory against Norway in September. As of November 2025, Jacobsen's tenure has seen strong results in youth internationals, with the team showing consistent improvement. No contract extensions or performance changes were reported beyond his ongoing role as of late 2025.

Personal life

Early years

Lars Christian Jacobsen was born on 20 September 1979 in , , where he spent his formative years immersed in the local community on the island of . During his school years, Jacobsen attended Sanderumskolen in , a period marked by active participation in youth activities that fostered his early development. In 1993, as a 13-year-old student at the school, he helped lead Sanderumskolen to victory in the School Football Tournament final against Marievangskolen, securing a 1-0 win while playing as a striker; the match, held at the newly renovated in , drew significant crowds and became a pivotal moment of local acclaim for the young Jacobsen.

Family

In September 2009, while playing for Blackburn Rovers in England, Lars Jacobsen and his wife Majbritt welcomed their first child, a son. Jacobsen took paternity leave for the occasion, missing a league match against Everton. During his professional stints abroad, including in England with Everton, Blackburn Rovers, and West Ham United, as well as in France with Guingamp from 2014 to 2016, Jacobsen managed family responsibilities alongside his career, as evidenced by his paternity arrangements in 2009.

Honours

Club

During his playing career, Lars Jacobsen won multiple domestic titles with and in the and , contributing as a key right-back in several championship-winning squads. These achievements highlight his role in successful Danish clubs during his tenures. Odense Boldklub
Danish Cup (Landspokalturneringen)
Jacobsen won the with in the 2001–02 edition, where the team defeated 2–0 in the final. He was named man of the match in the victory. FC Copenhagen
Danish Superliga titles
Jacobsen was part of FC Copenhagen's title-winning teams in four seasons, helping secure the league championship through consistent defensive performances and appearances in crucial matches. The titles were:
  • 2003–04: Joined mid-season and contributed to the club's successful defense of their previous title.
  • 2005–06: Played a full role in 33 league matches as FCK dominated the season.
  • 2006–07: Featured prominently in the campaign that clinched another consecutive Superliga crown.
  • 2012–13: Returned to the club and aided in reclaiming the title after a two-year absence.
Danish Cup (Landspokalturneringen)
Jacobsen won the Danish Cup twice with FC Copenhagen. He participated in the 2004–05 edition, where the team defeated Brøndby IF 3–0 in the final, and the 2011–12 edition, defeating Brøndby IF 1–0 in the final. These victories added to FCK's record of cup successes during his tenure.

International and individual

Jacobsen earned 87 caps for the Denmark national team between 2006 and 2015, during which he contributed defensively as a right-back and scored his sole international goal in a 4–1 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying victory over Cyprus on 7 October 2011. He was selected for Denmark's squad at the in , appearing in all three group stage matches as the team exited the tournament without advancing. Denmark's participation marked their fourth World Cup appearance, though no medal was awarded beyond the event's commemorative items for participants. Similarly, Jacobsen featured in three matches at in and , where Denmark again failed to progress from the group stage, concluding his major tournament involvement with the national side. On the individual front, Jacobsen received early recognition as the Danish U19 Player of the Year in 1997 while developing at , highlighting his promise as a versatile defender. No further major personal awards or nominations for Denmark's top player honors were recorded during his senior career, though his consistent international selections underscored his reliability in the right-back position. Following his playing retirement in 2016, Jacobsen transitioned to coaching without notable individual honors as of 2025; he served as an assistant at from 2021 to 2023 and with Denmark's U18 team since 2023, focusing on youth development.

References

  1. https://www.transfermarkt.us/lars-jacobsen/profil/spieler/1423
  2. https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/12225/Lars_Jacobsen.html
  3. https://www.transfermarkt.us/lars-jacobsen/profil/trainer/90553
  4. https://www.transfermarkt.us/lars-jacobsen/leistungsdaten/spieler/1423
  5. https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/lars-jacobsen/
  6. https://www.toffeeweb.com/players/profiles/Jacobsen.php
  7. https://fbref.com/en/players/bef72e41/Lars-Jacobsen
  8. https://sport.tv2.dk/fodbold/2016-05-13-husker-du-ung-lars-jacobsen-vinder-finalen-i-skolefodbold-som-angriber
  9. https://fyens.dk/navne/han-er-foedt
  10. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/everton-fc/lars-jacobsen-8184/premiership-appearances_a15598/
  11. https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2010/september/01-september/lars-jacobsen
  12. https://www.transfermarkt.com/odense-boldklub/platzierungen/verein/173
  13. https://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/1560490/file/1565328.pdf
  14. https://www.transfermarkt.us/lars-jacobsen/transfers/spieler/1423
  15. https://www.westhamtillidie.com/posts/west-ham-s-danish-connections-part-one
  16. https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01bc-0f848f674062-f3402fc69eb2-1000--jacobsen-ready-to-join-nurnberg/
  17. https://www.statmuse.com/fc/ask/lars-jacobsen-stats-vs-leverkusen
  18. https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/63041/Show/germany-dfb-pokal-2003-2004-unterhaching-hamburger-sv
  19. https://www.transfermarkt.us/hamburger-sv/transfers/verein/41/saison_id/2004
  20. https://www.transfermarkt.com/lars-jacobsen/transfers/spieler/1423/transfer_id/22335
  21. https://www.fck.dk/en/news/lars-jacobsen-will-stay-rest-season
  22. https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe276/lars-jacobsen/honours/
  23. https://fbref.com/en/players/bef72e41/matchlogs/2005-2006/summary/Lars-Jacobsen-Match-Logs
  24. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/1-fc-nurnberg/transfers/verein/4/saison_id/2007
  25. https://www.transfermarkt.com/lars-jacobsen/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/1423
  26. https://m.football-lineups.com/footballer/75/?t=60&s=565
  27. https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/apr/28/bundesliga-nurnberg-fans-relegation
  28. https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/01ca-0e6ee6aaab85-8edafde0638e-1000--von-heesen-replaces-meyer-at-nurnberg/
  29. https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/01d0-0e6fb3e78139-b721cebbd744-1000--jacobsen-deal-right-for-everton/
  30. https://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/lars-jacobsen-couldnt-say-no-2818954
  31. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/sep/11/everton.denmark
  32. https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/01d1-0e6fd4189398-0de93efe21a7-1000--everton-get-bad-news-on-jacobsen/
  33. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/4141607/jacobsen-saddened-by-injury
  34. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/4365647/lars-targets-toffees-return
  35. https://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-fc-team-mates-helped-conquer-2794893?int_source=amp_continue_reading&int_medium=amp&int_campaign=continue_reading_button
  36. https://www.statmuse.com/fc/ask/lars-jacobsen-stats-with-everton
  37. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/8060989.stm
  38. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/blackburn_rovers/8125121.stm
  39. https://www.the-independent.com/sport/football/premier-league/blackburn-sign-defender-jacobsen-1724247.html
  40. https://www.transfermarkt.us/lars-jacobsen/leistungsdaten/spieler/1423/saison/2009
  41. https://fbref.com/en/players/bef72e41/matchlogs/2009-2010/Lars-Jacobsen-Match-Logs
  42. https://fbref.com/en/squads/e090f40b/2009-2010/Blackburn-Rovers-Stats
  43. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/west_ham_utd/8959283.stm
  44. https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2010/september/01-september/jacobsen-joins
  45. https://www.transfermarkt.us/lars-jacobsen/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/1423/saison/2010/wettbewerb/GB1
  46. https://www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/news/west-ham-s-jacobsen-set-to-return-from-injury-2904844/
  47. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13791674
  48. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/jun/16/list-players-released-premier-league-clubs
  49. https://www.fck.dk/en/news/fck-sign-old-friend
  50. https://www.fck.dk/en/news/jacobsen-earns-fck-late-point
  51. https://www.fck.dk/en/honours
  52. https://www.fck.dk/en/news/lars-jacobsen-leave-fck-summer
  53. https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/025a-0ea7ab3cf881-ce1afa487e8e-1000--four-signings-strengthen-guingamp/
  54. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37356443/guingamp-claim-coupe-de-france
  55. https://www.statmuse.com/fc/player/lars-jacobsen-3604
  56. https://www.transfermarkt.us/lars-jacobsen/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/1423
  57. https://ghanasoccernet.com/denmark-official-lars-jacobsen-quits-football
  58. https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe276/lars-jacobsen/international-matches/
  59. https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=26640
  60. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37443302/denmark-coach-morten-olsen-resigns-15-years-charge
  61. https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0254-0d7d46aa4467-0214a0e41fb6-1000--danes-just-a-step-away-after-cyprus-success/
  62. https://www.worldfootball.net/report/em-qualifikation-2010-2011-gruppe-h-zypern-daenemark/liveticker/
  63. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/denmark-beats-cyprus-4-1-in-euro-2012-qualifier
  64. https://www.footballdatabase.eu/en/player/details/2879-lars-jacobsen
  65. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/56588902
  66. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4218459/2021/03/31/former-liverpool-defender-daniel-agger-takes-first-managerial-role-at-hb-koge/
  67. https://www.hbkoge.dk/nyhed/daniel-agger-og-lars-jacobsen-stopper-i-hb-koege/
  68. https://www.transfermarkt.us/hb-koge/startseite/verein/23297/saison_id/2021
  69. https://www.lfchistory.net/players/player/profile/1146
  70. https://www.tipsbladet.dk/nyhed/landshold/efter-koege-exit-lars-jacobsen-har-fundet-nyt-job
  71. https://www.dbu.dk/nyheder/2023/september/nye-assisterende-landstraenere-til-de-danske-ungdomslandshold/
  72. https://www.dbu.dk/landshold/landsholdsdatabasen/CoachInfo/4270
  73. https://www.transfermarkt.com/morten-molkjaer/profil/trainer/55294
  74. https://www.worldfootball.net/person_summary/jens-olsen-2/
  75. https://www.transfermarkt.com/danemark-u18/spielplan/verein/21741/saison_id/2023
  76. https://www.transfermarkt.com/danemark-u18/spielplan/verein/21741/saison_id/2024
  77. https://www.transfermarkt.com/danemark-u18/spielplan/verein/21741/saison_id/2025
  78. https://www.transfermarkt.com/lars-jacobsen/profil/trainer/90553
  79. https://lex.dk/Lars_Jacobsen
  80. https://ekstrabladet.dk/sport/fodbold/udenlandsk_fodbold/engelsk_fodbold/article4205222.ece
  81. https://www.transfermarkt.us/superliga/erfolge/pokalwettbewerb/DK1
  82. https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/lars-jacobsen/4/
  83. https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe276/lars-jacobsen/
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