Allan Simonsen

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Simonsen started his senior career at Vejle BK, winning the 1971 and 1972 Danish championships and the 1972 Danish Cup. He moved to Borussia Mönchengladbach after the 1972 Summer Olympics. In his first two seasons he played 17 games and scored two goals, winning the 1972–73 German Cup. He broke into the starting line-up in 1974–75, playing all 34 Bundesliga games and scoring 18 goals as Mönchengladbach won the league. He scored ten goals in the 1974–75 UEFA Cup, including two goals in the 5–1 final victory against Twente. In 1975–76 he scored 16 goals as Mönchengladbach regained the Bundesliga. In the 1976–77 European Cup, he helped the club reach the final against Liverpool, scoring a goal to level at 1–1, but they lost 3–1. He was named 1977 European Footballer of the Year. He won the 1978–79 UEFA Cup, scoring eight goals in eight games, including the deciding goal in the 2–1 final win against Red Star Belgrade. He moved to Barcelona in 1979.

In Their Own Story

The climax of Simonsen's European journey with Mönchengladbach arrived in May 1979 during the UEFA Cup Final against Red Star Belgrade. Having scored eight goals throughout the tournament, he delivered when it mattered most. In a tense 2–1 victory, Simonsen scored the deciding goal to secure the trophy for his club. This triumph added to his collection of two Bundesliga titles and one DFB-Pokal (1972–73) won earlier in his tenure. Despite offers from giants like Hamburger SV and Juventus in 1978, he waited for his contract to expire before moving to Barcelona in 1979. His time at Mönchengladbach remains a testament to his ability to perform on the biggest stages, highlighted by his unique record of scoring in three different European final matches across his career.

Reader's Guide

Simonsen spent three seasons at Barcelona, winning the 1981 Copa del Rey and the 1982 European Cup Winners' Cup, scoring the deciding goal in the final against Standard Liège. After Barcelona signed Diego Maradona in 1982, Simonsen moved to English Second Division side Charlton Athletic in October 1982 for £300,000. He scored nine times in 16 appearances, but the club had trouble funding his transfer and wages, and he left for nothing in 1983, returning to Vejle BK. He retired in 1989. For Denmark, he was capped 55 times, scoring 20 goals, and represented the nation at the 1972 Summer Olympics, 1984 European Championship, and 1986 World Cup. He later managed Vejle Boldklub (1991–1994), the Faroe Islands national team (1994–2001), and Luxembourg (2001–2004).

Did You Know?

• Simonsen is the only footballer to have scored in the European Cup, UEFA Cup, and Cup Winners' Cup finals.
• He was the first Danish player to win the European Footballer of the Year award, in 1977.
• He scored the deciding goal in the 1979 UEFA Cup final for Mönchengladbach against Red Star Belgrade.
• He broke his leg in Denmark's first match of the 1984 European Championship against France.

Rise to Global Stardom

Simonsen started his career at Vejle FC before joining Vejle BK (VB) youth in 1963. He made his senior debut on 24 March 1971, scoring in a 3–1 win against Karlskoga FF. Winning the Danish championship in 1971 and 1972, plus the 1972 Cup to complete The Double, he caught global attention with three goals in six matches at the 1972 Summer Olympics. This performance led to his move to Borussia Mönchengladbach in 1972. After a difficult start where he played only 17 games in two seasons, he flourished from 1974 onwards. The 1976–77 season was pivotal; despite losing the European Cup Final to Liverpool 3–1 after his equalizer, he was named European Footballer of the Year. He became the first Dane to win the award, beating Kevin Keegan and Michel Platini in a tight race.

European Trophy Cabinet

Simonsen holds a singular record in football history: he is the only player to score in the finals of the European Cup, UEFA Cup, and Cup Winners' Cup. His first major European final came with Mönchengladbach in the 1974–75 UEFA Cup, where he scored two goals in a 5–1 win over Twente. He added a second UEFA Cup in 1978–79, scoring the winner in the 2–1 final against Red Star Belgrade after netting eight goals in the tournament. His European Cup final appearance came in 1977 against Liverpool, where he scored the equalizer before his team lost. Later, moving to Barcelona, he won the 1981–82 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. In the 2–1 final victory against Standard Liège, Simonsen headed in the deciding goal. These three distinct European trophies highlight his unparalleled consistency in finals across different eras and competitions.

International Representation

Simonsen earned 55 caps for Denmark, scoring 20 goals according to the Danish Football Association. His international career began with a friendly against Iceland in July 1972 under manager Rudi Strittich, where he scored twice in a 5–2 win. He represented Denmark at the 1972 Summer Olympics, scoring three goals in the first three matches before being substituted due to fatigue in later games. Under Sepp Piontek, he was crucial for the 1984 European Championship qualification, scoring a vital penalty against Peter Shilton in a 1–0 win over England at Wembley Stadium in September 1983. This victory secured Denmark's first major tournament appearance since 1972. He played at the 1984 European Championship until breaking his leg against France and later featured in one match as a substitute for West Germany at the 1986 World Cup, Denmark's debut tournament.

Career Transitions and Retirement

In 1979, Simonsen moved to Barcelona after rejecting offers from Hamburger SV, Juventus, and Arabian clubs. He spent three successful seasons there, winning the 1980–81 Copa del Rey and the 1981–82 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. However, the arrival of Diego Maradona in 1982 created a conflict over foreign player limits, which Simonsen viewed as an insult. He demanded his contract be annulled and moved to English Second Division side Charlton Athletic for £300,000 in October 1982. After scoring nine goals in 16 games, the club could not fund his wages or transfer, leaving him free to leave. He returned to Vejle Boldklub in 1983, missing half of the 1984 season due to a leg injury from the European Championship. He retired in November 1989 at age 37 after playing 282 games and scoring 104 goals for VB.