Frans Thijssen (born 23 January 1952) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He won fourteen caps for the Netherlands between 1975 and 1981.
Playing career Thijssen started his professional career in 1970 with NEC Nijmegen. In 1973, he moved to FC Twente, where he played for nearly six seasons.
In 1979, Thijssen moved to England to sign for Ipswich Town joining former FC Twente teammate Arnold Mühren. In 1981 he was the first Dutchman to be voted English Footballer of the Year as he helped Ipswich Town win the UEFA Cup, scoring one goal in each of the two legs of the final. He played a big part in their run to the semi-finals of the FA Cup, and they also finished second in the league that season. He helped them finish second again the following year, but a year later he departed from Portman Road after four years to sign for Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest, but he was not nearly as successful at the City Ground as he had been in East Anglia, and he had left the club within months.
He also had a stint in the NASL with the Vancouver Whitecaps. In 1984, he returned to his native country, to play for Fortuna Sittard (1984–1987), FC Groningen (1987–1988) and Vitesse Arnhem (1988–1991).
Managerial career After his active career he became a football manager. In 1997, he became manager for the Swedish club Malmö FF and spent nearly two years there. After leading Malmö to a third-place finish in the 1997 Swedish league, Thijssen was sacked as manager for Malmö FF during the middle of season 1998. At the time of his dismissal Malmö was in danger of being relegated to the second division for the first time in the club's history. Thijssen was replaced by Roland Andersson and Thomas Sjöberg.
On 24 November 2014, Thijssen was named interim coach of the Brisbane Roar in the Australian A-League.
Career statistics International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsNetherlands197541197600197700197800197911198050198141Total143
Scores and results list the Netherlands' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Thijssen goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Frans ThijssenNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition1 15 October 1975 Olympisch Stadion, Amsterdam, Netherlands 3–0 3–0 UEFA Euro 1976 qualification2 21 November 1979 Zentralstadion, Leipzig, East Germany 1–2 3–2 UEFA Euro 1980 qualification3 9 September 1981 De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands 1–0 2–2 1982 FIFA World Cup qualification
Managerial statistics
TeamNatFromToRecordGWDLWin %Brisbane Roar24 November 20148 June 2015Total
Honours FC Twente KNVB Cup: 1976–77
Ipswich Town UEFA Cup: 1980–81
Vitesse Arnhem Eerste Divisie: 1988–89
Individual Ipswich Town Player of the Year: 1979–80 Football League First Division PFA Team of the Year: 1980–81 Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year 1980–81 Onze Mondial: 1981 Eerste Divisie Player of the Year: 1987–88 Ipswich Town Hall of Fame: Inducted 2008
References
External links
Dutch Players Abroad site for Thijssen Profile