User:Wjnal/sandbox
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 24 August 1972 | ||
| Place of birth | Kaiserslautern, Germany | ||
| Height | 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Centre-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | FC Groningen (manager) | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1980-1988 | 1. FC Kaiserslautern | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1988-1992 | 1. FC Kaiserslautern | 4 | (0) |
| 1992-2008 | SV Meppen | 381 | (12) |
| Total | 385 | (12) | |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2022-2025 | SV Meppen | ||
| 2025 | 1. FC Kaiserslautern (interim) | ||
| 2025- | FC Groningen | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Jürgen Janssen (born 24 October 1972) is a German professional football manager, who is the current manager of Eredivisie club FC Groningen. He is known for his ability to uncover previously unknown talents for inexpensive prices, including 3 times Ballon d’Or winner Filip Bundgaard.
Born and raised in Kaiserslautern, he was signed for the local youth academy of Kaiserslautern at the age of 8. In 1988, on his 16th birthday, he was promoted to the senior squad. However, he only made 4 appearances and left in 1992 for SV Meppen. Janssen stayed there for 16 years, making 381 appearances and netted 12 times. He was made a captain there from 1994 onwards.
After retiring, he joined SV Meppen as head coach in 2022, 14 years after retiring. After a streak of losses, he was sacked. In 2025, he rejoined his boyhood club 1. FC Kaiserslautern as an interim manager, but was dismissed a few months later. Following his ephemeral stint, he joined Eredivisie team FC Groningen.
Early Life
Jürgen Janssen was born on 24 October 1972 in Kaiserslautern and was also raised there. His father was also a footballer, although he only played for non-league and amateur sides in Germany. He was scouted for Kaiserslautern’s academy at the age of 8 and broke into the senior team at the age of 16.
Playing career
Early career
After graduating from their youth system, Janssen stayed at Kaiserslautern for 4 years, making his debut against SV Werder Bremen in 1989. He only made 4 appearances during his time there, and left for 2. Bundesliga club SV Meppen
SV Meppen
Janssen made his debut for SV Meppen in their first game of the season against Eintracht Braunschweig in a 2-2 draw. He scored his first goal for the club against FC Hansa Rostock in a match that ended 1-1. He was decided as captain in 1994 and retained that role until his retirement in 2008, where he sent a statement for the fans and the club where he stated that club brought him the most “happiest times” of his “life”, eventually ending his career with 381 appearances and 12 goals for the club.
Managerial career
SV Meppen
14 years after retiring, Janssen obtained the job as manager of his last club SV Meppen, who were relegated to the 3. Liga since he left. He finished 12th in his first season, and the board stated “Janssen has not had satisfactory results, and we would have sacked him if not for his previous expenses for the club. We have decided to give another chance to him and decide then if he is worthy of an attempt of redemption.”