DON'T be fooled by the calm exterior.
City's new assistant boss Hans Backe is a passionate man who loves the Arctic Monkeys as much as he loves his football.
Sven-Goran Eriksson's new right-hand man at Eastlands is the picture of composure when he is sat in the dug-out on the touchline.
But Backe's reputation as an ice man is ill-deserved according to those who know him from a very successful coaching spell in Denmark.
And one thing becomes clear when listening to Backe's friends talk about the 55-year-old coach: He is anything but boring.
The Swede likes to show his passion off the pitch, with a passion for modern pop and rock that takes in the Arctic Monkeys, Hard-Fi, Green Day and Kings Of Leon.
It's an intriguing contrast to his image as a cautious coach who has built successful teams on solid defending.
Backe took Aalborg to only their second Danish Superliga title in 1999, then won a further three championships with FC Copenhagen.
And yet despite his success, and his eclectic music tastes, Backe still has to face accusations of being boring.
It is an unfair picture, according to Danish television journalist Thomas Gravgaard, who knows Backe well.
"He was a big hero with FC Copenhagen fans because he won matches," Gravgaard said. "But a lot of those matches he won 1-0, or 2-0, or 2-1.
"In the Press, and among other clubs' fans, there's a feeling that when a club start winning a lot, you have to criticise something.
"At FC Copenhagen, that criticism came in the shape of accusations that they were not entertaining.
"There was an unfair perception in the Danish football world that Hans was a boring man because his team played controlled football.
"He was never shouting on the sidelines; he was always sat there, cool and calm. He rarely stood up.
"He lived up to the Danish myth about Swedes being cold people.
"Everybody who has met Hans knows that he is far more than that.
"He likes rock music; he's the sort of guy you would want to have a few drinks with."
And it turns out that Backe's musical interests include Sheffield exports, the Arctic Monkeys, and Surrey indie rockers Hard-Fi; the kind of bands you might expect a 20-something to be a fan of, but not a football coach in his mid-50s.
"He recommends rock music to me, and I recommend rock music to him," Gravgaard added.
"That contrasts very much with the cold Hans Backe on the sidelines looking just like a statue.
"He recommended an American band called Morningwood, a Swedish band called Mando Diao - which is also indie rock - and then I recommended the Arctic Monkeys, Hard-Fi and Kings Of Leon to him.
"And as far as I understand, he does go out and buy their CDs!
Quiz
"He found the Arctic Monkeys pretty good; it was their debut album he listened to. He's definitely into English music.
"He's into all sorts of music, but likes anything that has a guitar in it.
"I hosted a programme, on which he was a guest. I did a quiz with the fans where I held up three CDs, and the fans had to guess the latest one that Hans Backe had bought.
"One was a Danish mainstream rock group, one was a Swedish folk group and the last one was Green Day's American Idiot.
"Everyone went for the Swedish folk group, when the right answer was American Idiot - he had been listening to it in the car on the way to the studio!"
None of this would matter, of course, if Backe was not a successful coach.
But Gravgaard argues that Backe's open-minded approach to music is typical of a sociable man who finds it easy to win the respect of the players around him.
And more importantly, he is a winner.
"As a manager, Hans had a lot of respect," Gravgaard said. "From the outside, it may have seemed as if he never smiled when he was around the players.
"But I know for a fact that he did. And I know for a fact that they liked him very much. They had huge respect for him. There was good spirit among the players. He's socially very, very capable.
"That's one of his qualities. When you talk about Hans in Denmark, there are two perspectives on him.
"First, as a football manager, he won titles, not just with FC Copenhagen; he also managed to bring the title to Aalborg in 1999.
"Hans Backe has always had a lot of respect, because he has been able to win titles. When he goes back to Copenhagen, people still salute his achievements.
Organised
"Having said that, the manner in which he won the titles with FC Copenhagen was by getting the team to play very organised, controlled football.
"Danes like to call themselves the Latins of Scandinavia, and Hans Backe got a reputation as `another boring Swede'; winning, but not entertaining.
"There has been speculation that the coach FC Copenhagen brought in after Backe - a Norwegian called Stale Solbakken - was appointed partly because the club wanted to be associated with a more direct, attacking kind of play.
"But there's no doubt that Hans Backe has built the foundations on which the club managed to break into the Champions League for the first time last year.
"That is hugely to his credit, even though it happened under a different coach.
"The skeleton of the Copenhagen side is still Hans Backe's. They have a high emphasis of organisation and structure in their play. That's not entertaining, but it has definitely worked."
As for Backe himself, the new assistant is enjoying life in Manchester - but there was no indication as to whether he was planning to dash back from the Blues' friendly against Charleroi in Belgium tonight in time to watch the Arctic Monkeys play the second of two gigs at Old Trafford Cricket Ground tomorrow.
"It's been two very stressful weeks to settle in for players, coaches and the manager, so daily life has been quite intense here," Backe said.
"But I must say it's been very good so far.
"The two weeks of training has seen fantastic attitude from the players in every session we have had.
"I'm very happy when I see that and if we can keep this level in each session, it will be good."
How do you rate City's chances this season? Have your say.
Tweet
Comments
Login or Register to comment
happy swede in Carlstad. With a blue sky.Just happy. simpel as that.
Look, even if we brought no one else in the side will play a much more significant role in the Premiership this season.
It's a given that we still need more players but the difference this year will be playing without a black cloud overhead. There will be a greater belief in themselves by the players and by the fans. In fact right through the club.
This brings me to the supporters. Everything off field has changed and for the better. The ownership, management, scouting etc etc. It's all different. It's all better. At the moment the one constant is the fans. For decades the fans have been absolutely incredible, we have supported the club through thin and thinner and we probably have acquired over the years a different mentality than many other fans of clubs our size. However, WE HAVE TO CHANGE. It's time guys that we have our belief back. Should we suffer the ignominity of back to back defeats it's not the recipe for disaster anymore. In short there will be blips in results and we must now remember that we don't have to get on the teams back for it. Good things are about to happen. Our club is as good as any of the so called big four and will soon be matching them on the park. Our fans are better. Raise the roof off the sterile COMS fella's.
I am so envious that you guys will be at COMS this year whilst I have to watch on Foxtel. I believe that you guys are the best there are and your passion shines through in your posts.
It's a new dawn and the roses are beginning to smell real sweet.
Hans Backe, shame about the Arctic Monkeys follow up album. Try the Killers instead.
God bless the Blues
Very cool. Looking forward to the beginning of the season. Let's hope it never stops raining sugar plums over MCFC.
HE SOUNDS LIKE A DECENT GUY, THE PLAYERS CAN GET ON WITH AND RESPECT.......
He should come and have a pint in the Ben Brierley on Moston Lane, we have Artic Monkeys on the jukebox, altho I prefer Springsteen myself.
Anyway we should wrap up Chillieni deal asap, as he is pure class the best prospect in Italy. Rumours are that we are looking at Amelia the Livorno goalie.Also Yakubu continues to want away from Boro but Southgate hanging on, but making enquiries for Smith just in case.Olympiacos rumoured to have put Castillo up for sale??
what a totally useless story i cant believe you printed that
Interesting article.
Disorganised teams don't win anything, especially if they are up against superior opposition.
Sven's obviously looking to bring in flair players to the team so I am not worried about us being boring but as things stand, structure and organisation remain even more important than they might other wise be if we had brought in even more quality, which hopefully will happen.
Nice to know Hans likes to rock too.
I imagine that Hans will be joining me at the Kings of Leon and White Stripes gigs at the end of the year. And it's a knocking bet he'll be at the Arena along with half this board for Rush!
I'd be happier if he had a passion about Beethoven's music - something that lasts. You learn something new everyday - didn't know there were monkeys in the Artic.
Interesting to see that Faz has gone missing on the management page of the official site!!
City's new assistant manager loves the Artic Monkeys..... slow news day is it? And does anyone out there actually care?
Sounds like Hans Backe has a second career lined up as a DJ if he screws up at City! Word is that Olympiakos are prepared to sell Castillo to us if the price is right. Just need Chiellini and a couple of others and even Blue John might start to get optomistic. If we get the players Sven wants, I predict at least top 8, maybe EUFA! Glass 3/4 full at the mo!
Hans Backe Mr Cool? true.
12 years ago AIK managed by Backe played away at Helsingborg. The game was directly after the Roskilde Festival so Helsinborg was on my way home. After the game Mr Backe approached me in a restaurent saying that he heard that I've been to Roskilde. When I responded he asked if I had seen Oasis. I replied that yes that was the main reason for me going. Mr Backe then said that it must have been fantastic seeing Oasis at Roskilde!
While working for Swedish TV4 the intro for the main football show was always a Smiths song. Rumour says that Mr Backe and another programe leader insisted with Smiths beeing played.
So in conclusion, Arctic Monkeys seems about right.
Hans, can you please change City's run out music.
This season should be quite interesting. Not signed the usual 'past it' experienced pro. to keep us in the prem. next season, but current experienced pros. and top notch youth. Add this to the acadamy players he is allowing to come through and play; he is building and moulding all the ammunition we need for a substained attack on the prem. big boys for years to come.
I think Sven and Hans will be a great partnership...You don't need somebody running up and down the technical area like a madman to get your team playing...All the messages should be given prior to kick off, any other messages should be given quietly to one team member to pass on once the game is started. I can't imagine seeing the City technical area with the front edge worn out as it was last season, or even a beanie horse propping up the Lucozade carrier!!
I reckon in real life Hans drives a dray wagon for Newton and Ridley brewery in Weatherfield and does a bit on the side with Liz McDonald!!...City is just his weekend job..
On another note, it is reported that Chris Brunt has rejected a new contract at Shefield Wdnesday. Now I think this kid is one of the best talents outside the Prem, and at 21 would be ideal back up for Petrov. I hope that Sven is looking at making sure we have 2 players for every position, this will then give us a squad to challenge for a top six place.
apparently we are in for Bojinov from Florentina, another Bulgarian, plus a keeper Amerlia
Very good, but when are we going to sign some more players?
.... mmmm wonder how cool everyone will be should we lose first few matches?
There is too little time to prepare a "team" in readiness for the season and it may well be another tough season for us at the wrong end.However hopefully the new management team will be given chance to build for 08/09 when we should start to see the Thai Blue Moon rising to its full effect and become a force in the Premier League ... just about the time Fergie starts to lose the plot and the Reds start to sink in the waves caused by our Blue Thai Moon -- that is worth waiting another season to see !!
I will only truly start celebrating once the spending has surpassed the £30m Wardle said would have been available without the takeover. Until we breech that £30m barrier, none of the signings could be said to be the result of new money being pumped into the club
Paul 1966
Great shout mate.Plus the 6million we got for Barton.Frankie aint spent a bean of his vast fortune.Go and temp Zidane out of retirement.
Hans a Smiths fan? The guy's a legend already!
paul 1966. i agree with some of your comments about the 30 million. but dont forget that even though we paid around 4.5 million for petrov, which was a great price for a player of his quality. plus with the money that frank has put in to the club, we are now paying the wages. that we wouldnt have been able to last season..which with sven in charge is attracting the players who will be demanding this sort of wage, if they come to city.. but i do know where your coming from..
I THINK HANS WOULD AGREE WITH ME THAT IMMIGRANT SONG BY LED ZEP WOULD BE A POWERFUL PIECE OF MUSIC TO CHARGE OUT ONTO THE PITCH TO