Mads Bech Sørensen on FC Midtjylland, Brentford, Thomas Frank and National Team Ambition | OneFootball

You joined FC Midtjylland in 2023 and are now the club captain. How much are you enjoying life at the club so far?

“A lot. It is a privilege to be captain of this amazing club and to be part of the journey it is on.

“We have taken some very good steps recently, and the quality of the players we have brought in shows the direction we are heading. Right now, I am very satisfied with my life in general.”

“I have seen clear development every season at the club.

“The players we bring in, along with the young players adapting quickly in the first team, show how strong we are.

“Our recent performances in Europe also prove we are moving in the right direction.”

You won the Danish Superliga last season in dramatic fashion. What are your standout memories from the campaign?

“The day we won the championship. We needed AGF to help us, and they did. Even though we did not win our game, it was still enough. The emotions after the final whistle were incredible.

“Winning the title at home in the last round, after being 2-0 down at halftime, is something I will remember forever. It was one of the best moments of my career so far.”

That season also included an unbelievable comeback win in Aarhus with nine men. What do you remember about that?

“It is special for me because I did not play. It was the day I became a father. I watched the match with my pregnant wife, and the excitement probably started something. It was an unbelievable moment for the team.”

“I really enjoyed coming through the Horsens academy. The club was struggling when I was 15 or 16 and was considering closing the academy, which created an opportunity for me.

“Bo Henriksen – who is now the manager of Bundesliga side Mainz – gave me my chance, and training with senior players helped me develop. Playing first-team football at 16 was huge for me.”

In 2017, you moved to Brentford and later became part of the team’s first promotion to the Premier League. What stands out from your time in England?

“My time at Brentford is full of good memories. Moving abroad young helped me grow as a person and as a player.

“Playing in the Championship, being part of the promotion season, and making my Premier League debut against Arsenal and winning the match are core memories of my career. I am proud I took that step at 18. I will never forget those memories.”

“Definitely. I asked myself whether I would be proud of that decision at age 40, whatever happened, and the answer was yes.

“Today I am still proud. Not many players get to play in both the Championship and the Premier League. Now, I am playing in European competition and winning titles, which is a dream also.”

You worked under Thomas Frank at Brentford. What was he like as a coach?

“He is a top coach. He communicates well, gives players confidence, and is very intelligent tactically.

“Everyone trusts him, and he gets the best out of his players.

“His time with Brentford was very strong, and it was no surprise to me to see a club such as Tottenham recruit him to become their manager.

You also had loan spells at Wimbledon, Nice, and Groningen. What did those experiences give you?

“They were good experiences, even if they were not always successful on the pitch. The Wimbledon season ended early because of COVID.

“At Nice I did not play, and at Groningen I broke my arm after 14 days. But moving into new clubs and dressing rooms helps you grow as a person, so I still gained something from each spell.”

Since joining Midtjylland, you have barely missed a game. Does that make regular football even more enjoyable?

“Playing regularly is the best part of being a footballer. I love playing football, and I have been fortunate not to have injuries here. Playing every week is what all footballers enjoy the most.”

You represented Denmark at under-21 level and made the Team of the Tournament at the 2021 Euros. How proud are you of that period?

“I loved being part of the under-21s. We had a strong team and good results, reaching the quarter-finals.

“The group stage, especially beating France, is something I look back on with a lot of joy.”

Is becoming a full senior international still a major ambition for you?

“Of course. Almost every footballer dreams of representing their country.

“I have been selected once, but I have not made my debut yet. It is still something I am working toward.”

Finally, Mads, your teammate Philip Billing, was called up for Denmark recently. Does seeing teammates make that step motivate you?

“Absolutely. We have many national team players here from strong countries. Seeing Philip get called up shows the level we are at and creates more hunger among the Danish players. It shows it is possible.”