Esbjerg fB has finalized its academy setup for the coming season, underscoring the club’s plan to develop homegrown players for the first team. The academy is committed to nurturing talent from the grassroots level, providing young athletes with the necessary skills and exposure to excel in senior football.
Strong Academy Structure and Coaching Staff
The academy will again field sides at the highest national level in the U15, U17, and U19 divisions. Earlier this summer, the club was once more ranked among the top performers in the Danish FA’s club licensing program. The academy also comes off a strong year, highlighted by the U15 team winning the cup for the second season in a row and staying in the league title race until the final round.
The structure continues to tie the academy closely to the first team so the step from youth to senior football is as smooth as possible. The club aims to open that pathway for talents from Esbjerg and partner clubs in the South West Jutland network. Over the past year, the academy has increased its focus on both player and coach development through more individual feedback, tailored development plans, and targeted coaching across all age groups.
Staff changes include 34-year-old Dennis Deleuran taking over the U19s after joining from Viking FK, which operates Norway’s highest-ranked academy. Jeppe Schultz moves from U15 to U17, allowing him to continue working with much of the same group as it advances an age level.
The academy organization for the new season includes:
- Anders Brynaa, Head of Talent
- Jerry Lucena, Head of Coaching
- Jesper Lange, Transition Coach
- René Christiansen, Individual and Transition Coach
- Nicolaj Buk, Goalkeeping Coach
- Patrick Wolf, Fitness Coach
- Line Myers, Mental Coach
- Michael Brodersen, Individual Coach
- Anders Holiløkk, Individual Coach and Mentor
- Filipe Cardona, Analyst
- Allan Hug, Children’s Development Coach
- Lars Kruchow, Children’s Development Coach
- Jacob Hollænder, ATK+ Lead
- Fred Quarit, Club Partnership Talent Coach
- Morten Bastholm, Head of Player Health & Sports Medicine
- Magnus Thomsen, Physiotherapist
For the U19s, Dennis Deleuran will serve as Head Coach, supported by Ebbe Jørgensen as Assistant Coach and Søren Mortensen as Team Manager. The U17 team will be led by Jeppe Schultz, with Mads Lundager Heide and Brian Jensen rounding out the coaching staff. The U15 coaching team includes Mathias Paulsen as Head Coach, with Steffan Kikkenborg and Ronni Bersang assisting. Additionally, the U14 and U13 teams will have dedicated coaches to ensure all players receive quality training and development.
Esbjerg fB’s academy program is poised for a promising season ahead, with a strong focus on player development and a commitment to fostering local talent. The club’s dedication to creating pathways for young players signifies a bright future for football in the region.