EM Statue 1992 – Richard Møller Nielsen

A modest square for a football fairy tale

Richard Møller Nielsens Plads is a small, open square next to Odense Stadion dedicated to the man who coached Denmark to its sensational Euro 1992 title. The focal point is the EM‑statue, a bronze likeness of the coach captured in his characteristic tracksuit, hands lightly raised as if in mid‑instruction. Around him, low brick and paving define a calm pocket of space between the stadium structures and surrounding streets. Though compact, the square feels like a tiny shrine to Danish football. The statue is set so you can walk all the way around it, taking in the details of his expression and stance. Discreet plaques and inscriptions give context, linking this modest piece of public art to one of the country’s greatest sporting stories.

Odense roots and national glory

Richard Møller Nielsen was born on Funen and spent much of his life in and around Odense, playing and later coaching at Odense Boldklub before taking over the national team. The choice of this location is deliberate: the statue stands by the home ground of the club where he built his reputation and honed the disciplined, collective style that later stunned Europe. The Euro 1992 triumph, achieved after Denmark were called in at the last moment to replace Yugoslavia, turned him from local coach into national symbol. The statue and square acknowledge both sides of that story: the hometown trainer deeply rooted in OB culture, and the national hero who brought a European Championship back to Denmark.

Details in bronze and stone

The sculpture is life‑size rather than monumental, reflecting the coach’s down‑to‑earth personality. You see creases in the jacket, the tilt of his head, and a slightly forward lean that suggests focus more than celebration. The base is low, making the figure feel approachable rather than distant. Surrounding paving stones and low walls provide a subtle frame and a few informal places to perch. On match days, scarves and flowers sometimes appear at the base, small personal tributes that briefly turn the work into a living memorial. On quiet weekdays, it becomes more of an urban sculpture, blending sporting history with everyday city life.

Part of the Odense Stadion ensemble

The statue is closely tied to Odense Stadion, where a stand already bears Richard Møller Nielsen’s name. Seen from the square, you can glimpse the stadium’s structure and imagine the roar of crowds on game days. The setting underlines the connection between club and country: this is where a local defender and later coach helped shape teams that would go on to shock far larger football nations. Even if you are not a football fan, the juxtaposition of contemporary stadium architecture and a solitary bronze figure is striking. The square opens outward, with clear sightlines that make the statue easy to find and photograph from multiple angles without obstructions.

A reflective pause for visitors and fans

For many, a visit here is a brief but meaningful pause before or after a match, or a quick detour on a walk through the area. The lack of barriers invites you to step close, compare your own height to the coach’s, or simply stand beside him for a quiet moment. The atmosphere shifts with the day: tranquil and almost contemplative in the morning, more energetic when OB are playing and scarves and jerseys fill the approaches. At any hour, this little square offers a tangible reminder that one of European football’s greatest underdog victories began with a determined coach from Odense and a belief that a team could be stronger than the sum of its stars.