Peter Schmeichel
The towering Danish giant who led Manchester United to the historic 1999 Treble and redefined goalkeeping.
Peter Schmeichel is a Danish former professional goalkeeper widely regarded as one of the greatest in history. Born on 18 November 1963, he spent eight legendary seasons at Manchester United, where he won 15 trophies, including five Premier League titles and three FA Cups. Standing 1.93 m tall and weighing close to 100 kg during his playing days, he wore specially-made size XXXL shirts. He captained the club to victory in the 1999 UEFA Champions League final, completing the historic Treble. His career also included winning the UEFA European Championship with Denmark in 1992 and being voted IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper in both 1992 and 1993.
- Role
- Goalkeeper
- Affiliation
- Manchester United, Denmark National Team
- First appears
- 1991
- Status
- Retired / Legend
- Major Honours
- 5 Premier League titles, 3 FA Cups, 1 UEFA Champions League
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Schmeichel was a fierce competitor known for loudly criticizing perceived mistakes by his defenders. Unusually for a goalkeeper, he scored 11 goals during his career, including one for the Denmark national team. His leadership was paramount; he captained Manchester United in the absence of Roy Keane during the 1999 UEFA Champions League final against Bayern Munich. With German opponents leading 1-0 until the dying minutes, Teddy Sheringham scored the equalizer and Ole Gunnar Solskjær netted the winner from a close-range finish after a corner kick. In the 1998-99 FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal, he saved a penalty kick by Dennis Bergkamp in the last minutes of regular time to force extra time, later revealing he was unaware of how much time remained on the clock.
In Their Own Story
On 6 August 1991, Manchester United signed Schmeichel for £505,000, a price manager Alex Ferguson later called the "bargain of the century." Although virtually unknown outside Denmark at the time, he immediately helped the club win the Football League Cup in his first season. The following year, his 22 clean sheets guided United to their first Premier League title in 26 years. Tensions occasionally flared; in January 1994, after squandering a 3-0 lead against Liverpool, Schmeichel had a row with Ferguson and "said the most horrible things," leading the manager to consider selling him until an apology was overheard by teammates. His career at Old Trafford concluded in glory with the Treble. In March 1997, he was cleared of racism allegations following a confrontation with Ian Wright after a match against Arsenal.
Reader's Guide
Schmeichel's career spanned from 1981 to 2003, yielding 24 trophies across clubs including Gladsaxe-Hero, Hvidovre, Brøndby, Sporting CP, Aston Villa, and Manchester City. Before joining United in 1991, he spent five seasons at Brøndby, winning the 1st Division four times and reaching the UEFA Cup semi-finals in 1990-91, keeping seven clean sheets. For Denmark, he holds a national record of 129 caps between 1987 and 2001 until overtaken by Simon Kjær in 2023, captaining the side in 30 matches. He played at Euro 92, where he won the tournament, and the 1998 FIFA World Cup. In 2001, a Reuters poll of 200,000 participants voted him the best goalkeeper in history ahead of Lev Yashin and Gordon Banks. He was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2003 and named to the FIFA 100 list in March 2004.
Did You Know?
- Schmeichel scored 11 goals in his entire career, including one for the Denmark national team.
- He weighed close to 100 kg (220 lb) during his playing days and wore specially-made size XXXL football shirts.
- He was the most capped player for Denmark with 129 games until Christian Eriksen surpassed him.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Peter Schmeichel?
He is a Danish former professional goalkeeper born in 1963 who is widely considered one of the greatest to ever play the position. His legendary status stems from his dominant performances during Manchester United's most successful era.
What was Peter Schmeichel's role on the pitch?
Standing at 1.93 meters, he utilized his towering height to command the penalty area and make spectacular saves with both hands and feet. His commanding presence redefined the modern goalkeeper role by establishing authority within his box.
How did Peter Schmeichel's career conclude?
After eight triumphant seasons at Manchester United, he retired from professional football following stints with Fulham and Newcastle United. He officially stepped away from the game to focus on coaching and media work later in life.
Why is Peter Schmeichel important to Premier League history?
He captained Manchester United to their historic 1999 Treble, including a victory in the UEFA Champions League final. His leadership helped secure five Premier League titles and three FA Cups during his tenure at Old Trafford.
What international honors did Peter Schmeichel achieve?
Beyond club football, he won the 1992 UEFA European Championship while representing the Denmark national team. He also began his senior career in Norway before joining Manchester United in 1991.
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