John Sivebæk (born 25 October 1961) is a Danish former Defender (association football), football defender. He won the 1984 Danish football champions, Danish championship with Vejle Boldklub and played for English club Manchester United F.C., Manchester United. He scored one goal in 87 appearances for the Denmark national football team, Danish national team, and represented his country at the 1986 FIFA World Cup, 1986 World Cup as well as three UEFA European Football Championship, European Championships, including the triumphant 1992 UEFA European Football Championship, 1992 European Championship tournament. Sivebæk has two sons, Christian Sivebæk the eldest of the sons, is also a professional football player.

Biography

Sivebæk was born in Vejle, and started his career with hometown club Vejle Boldklub in 1980. He was a part of the Vejle team that won the 1981 Danish Cup. He made his debut for the Danish national team in a May 1982 friendly match against Sweden national football team, Sweden. He was a part of the Danish squad at the 1984 UEFA European Football Championship, 1984 European Championship, where he played in three of Denmark's four games. He and Vejle won the 1984 Danish football champions, Danish championship trophy, and he scored his only international goal, in a 1986 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)#UEFA Group 6, 1986 World Cup qualification game against the Republic of Ireland national football team, Republic of Ireland in November 1985. In the winter 1985, Sivebæk moved to England to play for Manchester United, joining fellow Dane Jesper Olsen. On 22 November 1986, he scored his first and only goal for Manchester United, a direct free-kick in a 1–0 home win against Queens Park Rangers F.C., Queens Park Rangers, which was also the first Manchester United goal under newly hired manager Alex Ferguson.Paul Fletcher
The man who set Fergie on his way
''BBC Sport'', 4 November 2006 In his time at Manchester United, he was selected to represent Denmark at the 1986 FIFA World Cup, 1986 World Cup, where he played two of Denmark's four games before elimination. In 1987, Sivebæk was told he would not be a first team regular at Manchester United, and he moved to French club AS Saint-Étienne. While at Saint-Étienne, he was selected for the 1988 UEFA European Football Championship, 1988 European Championship, where he played two of Denmark's three games. In 1991, he changed from Saint-Étienne to league rivals AS Monaco. While at Monaco, he was called up to the Danish squad for the 1992 UEFA European Football Championship, 1992 European Championship. He played full-time in Denmark's first four games and helped the team reach the final against Germany national football team, Germany. He took part in the final, but suffered an injury and was substituted in favour of Claus Christiansen (footballer, born 1967), Claus Christiansen, and watched from the bench as Denmark won 2–0. He ended his national team career later that year, following the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA), 1994 World Cup qualification game against Northern Ireland national football team, Northern Ireland in November 1992. He went to Italy to play for Pescara Calcio in 1992. He moved back to Denmark in 1994, to play for childhood club Vejle BK. He played a single season for Vejle, for a total 226 games and 23 goals for the club. He ended his career with Danish club Aarhus Gymnastik Forening, AGF Aarhus in 1997. After retiring, he became a football agent with ''Proactive Scandinavia''.

Honours

*1981 Danish Cup *1984 Danish football champions, Danish championship *1992 UEFA European Football Championship, 1992 European Championship

References

External links

Danish national team profile

Vejle Boldklub profile
*
A.S. Monaco Profile
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sivebaek, John 1961 births Living people AS Monaco FC players AS Saint-Étienne players Expatriate footballers in Monaco Expatriate footballers in France Ligue 1 players Danish expatriate men's footballers Danish expatriate sportspeople in Monaco Danish expatriate sportspeople in France Danish expatriate sportspeople in Italy Danish expatriate sportspeople in England Danish men's footballers Denmark international footballers Denmark under-21 international footballers Association football defenders Vejle Boldklub players Manchester United F.C. players Expatriate footballers in England People from Vejle Municipality Delfino Pescara 1936 players Serie A players Serie B players English Football League players Expatriate footballers in Italy Aarhus Gymnastikforening players Danish Superliga players UEFA Euro 1984 players 1986 FIFA World Cup players UEFA Euro 1988 players UEFA Euro 1992 players UEFA European Championship-winning players Sportspeople from the Region of Southern Denmark