Keep an eye on: Uffe Manich Bech

               Age: 19 (19-01-1993)
          Position: Striker - 
                    Centre Forward      
              Club: Lyngby BK,
                    Danish Superliga
             Debut: 01-08-2010 against
                    Silkeborg IF (2-2)
International Caps: Denmark U19: 8 Match(es)
                                 2 Goal(s)
                    Denmark U18: 4 Match(es)
                                 1 Goal(s)
                    Denmark U17: 10 Match(es)
                                  6 Goal(s)
                    Denmark U16: 7 Match(es)
                                 3 Goal(s)
             Value: £175.000 (transfermarkt.co.uk

Since his change from Hellerup Idrætsklub to Lyngby BK in 2006, Uffe Bech has become another product of the clubs fantastic youth department. The talented striker, who can play several offensive positions, signed his first contract with Lyngby aged 15. Back then he had just won the national championship for U16. 

Uffe Manich Bech describes himself as a player who is “quick on his feet” and believes that he thinks fast and is playing in a high tempo”. 

The player also said: “I am good in the offensive play and in creating chances both for myself and my teammates.”

The description is backed up by Danish national U19 coach Per Andersen:


“Uffe is a player with a very high intelligent for the game. It means he is great at reading the game. He is tactical clever, and a technical  great player, as well. He is very creative and good at finding the openings and he can be used on several positions.”

In 2009 Uffe Bech, was invited on a trial in Blackburn Rovers where they, according to Sky Sports, had the chance of a permanent stay if they could impress the club. Bech said about his stay in Blackburn Rovers: 

“Blackburn was the first trial I had, and it was a fan experience. It was instructive; we played against some players that were physical bigger than me, and I think it went well.” 

However, the talented player returned to Lyngby but was soon invited on another trial. This time in Heerenveen. Once again, Bech returned to Lyngby, but this time to have his debut for the first team squad six months after. 

Uffe Bech had his first appearance in the 2-2 draw against Silkeborg IF in August 2010 and later that month he signed a new contract with Lyngby BK. In February 2011, the player was invited on a trial in German club HSV. However, Niels Frederiksen, Manager of Lyngby made it clear that Uffe Bech would return to Lyngby. Asked what he would suggest as the next step for Uffe Bech, Per Andersen said:

“He is in a good development in Lyngby, and I would suggest that he stays in the club and becomes a regular part of the Superliga squad. That is the first thing he should have as a goal for his future.”

Uffe Bech is willing to develop in Lyngby, but also said that:

“I want to play abroad at some point. I believe I have the talent and will for it, and then we will see how far it reaches. It is my goal.”

The first goal in the blue shirt came in April 2011 when the 18-year old striker was sent on the pitch in the 72nd minute against FC Midtjylland. Three minutes later had he smashed the leather in the back of the net and made himself matchwinner. An experience the striker sees as one of his biggest moments.

In December 2011, Uffe Manich Bech was awarded the Danish Football Associations U19-talent price. A price that have been awarded to some of the most influential players in Danish football, as Jon Dahl Thomasson, Jesper Grønkjær and Peter Løvenkrands. The striker said about winning the price:

“I was glad and proud of being awarded the price, but I see it as a pat in the shoulder rather than a quality stamp. It does not mean that I can go out and think I am the king here, it means I need to work harder and first of all here in Lyngby.” 

The young offensive player has earlier been compared with the Argentinean super striker, Lionel Messi, by Danish expert Per Frimann. However, the player himself has another view:

“There is a long road to become Messi and I'm never going to be the same player as Messi. It is possible that we both are small players, but we do not have the same style of playing”.

It is worth mentioning that Uffe Manich Bech was a crucial factor in Lyngby BK’s reserves victory against Viborg IF’s reserves, during the winter preseason. The team was behind by 4-0 when Uffe Bech made a hattrick in sixteen minutes, bringing the club back in the game, which they won – 5-4.