Jens Bangsbo
Coaching the bests in the world
Jens is a UEFA pro-license coach (2014) and UEFA, AFC and FIFA instructor.
After working with with Carlo Ancelotti at Juventus FC as an associate between 1999-2001, he became the Assistant Coach of Juventus FC, winning two Italian Championships, two Italian Super-cups, and in 2003 reaching the Champions League final with the team. Until 2004 at Juventus, he was a trainer of players such as Zinedine Zidane, Gianluigi Buffon, Alexandro Del Piero and Pavel Nedved – Ballon d’Or winner in 2003.
In the season of 2007/2008 he was technical/tactical consultant for Lorenzo Serra Ferrer at AEK Athens. He became assistant coach for Leonardo at Antalyaspor in the fall of 2017.
Jens has been Assistant Coach of the Danish National Team and was part of the coaching staff for EURO 2004, World Cup 2010, and EURO 2012.
Jens has played more than 350 matches in the Danish Premier League and in the Danish National Team.
He studied mathematics and physiology at the University of Copenhagen, graduating in 1984 and achieving the honorary degree ‘Doctor of Science’ in 1994. He became a professor at the Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports in 2003.
Gaining extensive knowledge both on the field and in academics encouraged Jens to share his expert knowledge, and write more than 15 books about football. Three of them focused on the tactical aspects of football: “Soccer Systems and Strategies”, “Offensive Soccer Tactics” and “Defensive Soccer Tactics”. Additionally he has written books about fitness training, specific to demands in the game of football.
As part of Nike’s Boot Camp, Speed and Ignite initiative, Jens has developed player specific programs for Andres Iniesta, Carlos Tevez, Nani, Ronaldinho, and Cesc Fabregas. He has developed the Creative Speed test for 5 time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.
Jens is the inventor of the Yo-Yo tests, which are the most used tests in soccer. His ability to translate scientific knowledge into practice is widely respected all over the world.
Casper Skovgaard
From Science to Practice
Casper Skovgaard completed his PhD degree in Human Physiology in collaboration with Team Danmark, the Danish elite sports organization, and the University of Copenhagen, Denmark in 2017.
Casper has played at the highest youth-level in Denmark.
He was Head of Strength and Conditioning for the successful youth sector at FC Nordjælland for 3 years. He has been working as Strength and Conditioning Coach and Assistant Coach for 1st and 2nd Division clubs in Denmark.
Casper was recently working as Head of Strenght and Conditioning at Antalyaspor, Turkey, as part of the Technical Staff managed by Leonardo. Other staff members were Angelo Castellazzi and Serginho. He was trainer of players such as Samuel Eto’o, Samir Nasri, Jeremy Menez, William Vainqueur, Johan Djourou and Sandro.
Casper worked as a Team Danmark Sport Physiologist for world-class badminton, ice-hockey and handball players as well as world-class rowers and kayakers.
Our two experts have worked together previously, and have decided to create SoccerFitness to further educate professional coaches in the field of soccer fitness.