Olof Mellberg

Erik Olof Mellberg (born 3 September 1977) is a Swedish football manager and former professional player who is the manager of Brommapojkarna.

During his career, Mellberg played as a defender, and is best known for his time at Aston Villa, as well as spells with Juventus and Greek side Olympiacos.

Erik Olof Mellberg was born in Gullspång, Sweden, on 3 September 1977 to parents Erik and wife Berit.

Mellberg's mother Berit was a physical education teacher who passed on her love of sport to her son.

As a youth, Mellberg enjoyed playing tennis and dreamed of Wimbledon rather than the World Cup.

Mellberg was something of a tennis prodigy and it was not until he was 14 that Mellberg began to focus on football.

Mellberg played for local side Gullspång before being picked up by then Swedish Premiership side Degerfors.

After being relegated, he joined capital club AIK, where he made an instant impression, became Swedish champion 1998 and was sold after just ten months.

Spanish side Racing Santander moved to secure the promising Swedish centre half, and although after having a difficult time adjusting to Spanish football, he soon claimed a starting berth and impressed in his first season.

Continuing to play well, Mellberg was said to be on his way to several big Spanish sides, including Barcelona and Valencia.

A former captain of the national team, he scored eight goals in 117 caps between 2000 and 2012.

Mellberg made his debut against Austria in March 2000.

However, Aston Villa managed to secure his signature in July 2001 and he became a consistent and vital part of the team.

Mellberg was left out of boss David O'Leary's first side for a game against Portsmouth, but was soon made the captain of the English giants for the rest of his reign.

Mellberg was a vital part of the team that finished 6th in the Premier League and reached the semi-finals of the League Cup in O'Leary's first season.

Mellberg played for Sweden in the 2002 World Cup and 2006 World Cup, as well as the Euro 2000, Euro 2004, Euro 2008 and Euro 2012.

During an open team practice before the 2002 World Cup, Mellberg broke into a fight with his teammate former Arsenal winger Freddie Ljungberg after a robust tackle from Mellberg.

Mellberg resigned as captain following the 2006 World Cup—he was replaced by Gareth Barry.

On the opening day of the 2006–07 Premiership season Mellberg became the first person to score in a competitive game at Arsenal's new Emirates Stadium.

In 2007 the new manager of Aston Villa, Martin O'Neill, continued to consider Mellberg as the first choice centre back.

During the 2007–08 season, he played at the right back position following the purchase of Zat Knight, who played alongside Martin Laursen at centre back.

Mellberg was sent off against Portsmouth on 15 March 2008 for two bookable offences.

In January 2008 it was announced that Mellberg had signed a pre-contract agreement with Juventus.

His final home game for Aston Villa was against Wigan Athletic on 3 May.

The game was designated as "Olof Mellberg" day in appreciation of his service to the club.

On his final game for Aston Villa away at West Ham United, as a leaving gift, Mellberg gave every single Villa fan at Upton Park either a home or an away shirt with his name and number on the back and the message Thanks 4 Your Support – being the number 4 of Aston Villa.

He also said he would frame the kit which he used on his last ever Aston Villa game – the game against West Ham.

To this day Mellberg is very highly thought of and respected by Aston Villa supporters as one of their greatest ever players.

In January 2008, it was confirmed that Mellberg had signed a pre-contract agreement with Italian giants Juventus, allowing him a Bosman move to Serie A on a three-year contract for the start of the 2008–09 season.

He made his Juventus debut on 16 July 2008 in a friendly match versus Serie B outfit, Piacenza.

Juventus surprisingly lost the match 1–0.

On 18 January 2009, Mellberg scored his first goal for Juventus against Lazio in the 30th minute.

On 23 June 2009, it was confirmed that Mellberg agreed with Olympiacos to sign a three-year contract with the club.

Olympiacos paid Juventus €2.5 million for the Swede's signature.

Despite The Rotation of several managers in the club while there, he was a constant in the central defence.

Mellberg turned down a new deal at the end of the 2011–12 season to extend his time in Athens, hoping to find a new challenge with his agent saying, "...we don't close any doors."

On 8 August 2012, Mellberg signed a one-year contract with Spanish club Villarreal.

Mellberg appeared 29 times for Villarreal in Spanish Segunda División, scoring twice, and was an important part of the squad that finished second in Segunda División and was promoted to La Liga.

On 9 July 2013, Mellberg signed a two-year contract with Danish champions Copenhagen, but left after one season.

Mellberg retired in summer 2014.