He began his career at Kobenhavns Boldklub in his native Denmark, but before long he was being scouted for increasingly larger teams. He scored 24 goals in 38 appearances for Danish giants Brondby, and in 1983 he left for Juventus in a $1m deal – the largest in Denmark at the time. Following two seasons at Lazio and four at Juve, Michael was persuaded by Dutch legend Johan Cruyff to join Barcelona.
The Dream Team went on to win four consecutive La Liga championships from 1991 to 1994, as well as the 1991–92 European Cup, along with the 1992 UEFA Super Cup, 1989–90 Copa del Rey, and 1991 and 1992 Supercopa de España titles, with Laudrup twice elected the best player of the year in Spain during these years.
Following his spell with the Catalonian giants, he moved to arch-rivals Real Madrid, with whom he won the 1995 La Liga championship, and despite only playing two seasons at the Bernabeu, Michael was voted the 12th best player in Real history in an internet survey by Spanish newspaper Marca.
As well as a legend in the club game, he was also one of Denmark’s best ever players, scoring 37 goals in 104 appearances, captaining the side 28 times and starring in several World Cups. His later years saw him play in Japan before seeing out his playing career in a championship-winning Ajax side and hanging up his boots in 1998.
Michael then turned his hand to management, returning to former club Brondby and leading them to a Superliga, two Danish Cups and a Supercup, before taking his skills across the continent to Getafe, Spartak Moscow, Mallorca and Swansea City, with whom he won the League Cup. Michael’s illustrious and long career at the top of the game, both as player and manager, ensures that he will be a wonderful speaker for your sporting event, given his experience and anecdotes in the world of football.
