Flashscore caught up with Michaelsen to discuss the biggest differences between MLS and European football, the turmoil at Anderlecht, the growing admiration for Danish coaches globally, and the amazing transfer coup to lure German legend Thomas Muller to Vancouver Whitecaps.
How did your move to Vancouver come about?
"I was in Anderlecht after Brian Riemer had asked me to come and join him in Brussels. Things seemed to be going well; we were doing well in the league and had qualified for the Europa League, but then Brian got fired very surprisingly.
"Riemer was subsequently named the new coach of the Danish national team, but my situation was a little bit in limbo until Jesper called and invited me to Vancouver.
"Initially, I was hesitant due to concerns for my family, but we discussed it between us and found a solution. And then I travelled to Spain, where Vancouver were in training camp. I certainly haven't regretted the switch. It's a great club with great people, so I'm thrilled to be here."
What did you think about Brian Riemer and Jesper Fredberg (the sporting director) being relieved of their duties at Anderlecht?
"I think Brian worked hard and had a really good connection with the squad. I also know that people in the squad were very surprised by what happened. But Anderlecht is a very big club that has not won anything for many years, and there is a lot of pressure on people in the club.
"And then we lost to Genk, and perhaps people were still emotionally affected by that defeat when they decided to say goodbye to Brian, but you can see that it did not make a difference. The fact that Jesper also had to say goodbye was perhaps not so surprising to me, because there were disagreements with the board about strategy, but Riemer's dismissal was a big surprise."
Why do you and Jesper work so well together as a pair?
"Jesper and I got to know each other when we played at Akademisk Boldklub (in Copenhagen) in the 90s, and we quickly found out that we have the same sense of humour and have great chemistry.
"I then went abroad for eight years, but when I returned, we started the elite coaching education at the same time. We often called each other several times a week and used each other to share ideas.
"We use each other a lot, and it also means that we have the freedom to challenge each other. Is there another way we can do things? It is important to give the head coach counterplay and alternatives. Not something completely crazy, but within the framework that you are working towards."
You beat Inter Miami with Lionel Messi and all their stars in the CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-final back in May. Tell us about that experience.
"It was a personal highlight for all of us to have to prepare the squad for the match against Messi and Inter Miami. Messi is, of course, the king, but they also have (Jordi) Alba, (Sergio) Busquets, (Luis) Suarez, and many other talented players.
"For us, it was important to keep the game tactically closed for a long time and run a lot with them to wear them down, and we succeeded quite well.
"The home match was sold out, and that was a magical evening, scoring at the end of the game. Both matches were some of the biggest I have been involved in, and our physical, mental, and tactical performance was extraordinary."
How did the transfer for Thomas Muller come about, and were you involved in the decision-making process?
"It was our CEO Axel Schuster, Jesper, and our technical director (Quinn Thompson) who talked with Thomas Muller. Of course, in the coaching staff, we were hoping for the transfer to happen.
"Thomas could help the team with his experience, his eye for the game, his leadership qualities, and his continued physical ability.
"Jesper was very skilful in explaining to Thomas what awaited him here, what his role would be, and that helped get the deal over the line."
How big is that transfer coup for Vancouver, and what difference will Muller make for you?
"If you take his CV, there are not many who have won more than him. We just talked about some of the biggest stars in Canadian football, and there's been (Didier) Drogba, (Alessandro) Nesta, and now there is Thomas Muller.
"Son (Heung-min) has gone to LA, and Muller has come to us, and it always testifies to the attraction MLS has for foreign stars. Muller’s name speaks for itself."
There are currently many Danish coaches in high-profile positions around the world. Why do you think that is?
"The fact that Thomas Frank (and before him, Morten Olsen) has done so well has opened the door for many of us. Niels Frederiksen, Bo Henriksen, Brian Priske, and many others have since come forward and have continued the good work. There are also many assistant coaches abroad, but of course, they do not get the same focus.
"Our education system is also good, and the fact that often Danish coaches may not have the best players at their disposal, so we have to find solutions tactically to make them into the best team. We also understand that there is a person behind the player, and that creates an environment where people can evolve and develop."
In European football, there are enormous differences between rich and poor teams and how it affects the leagues, but in MLS, it's different. What do you prefer?
"In Major League Soccer (MLS), teams operate under a 'soft salary cap' system. This means there's a limit on the total amount of money a team can spend on player salaries.
"You can't just be the richest club and then buy all the players, as is happening in Europe. And that's what I love about MLS. There are rules to guarantee equality.
"I don’t like that the top two or three are already a foregone conclusion in most European leagues every year because some clubs have so much more money than the rest. And they can make a lot of mistakes in the transfer market and still get by because they have so much money.
"There is also a huge difference in the economy in the Danish Superliga, with FC Copenhagen and FC Midtjylland being much, much financially stronger than the others. Over here, you can’t just do what you want, partly because of the salary caps, and I like that."
How would you describe the style of play in MLS?
"Matches are more open than you see in Europe, probably from the fact that no teams are relegated, so there is more end-to-end action and more goals in the league. The structure and tactics disappear a little in some matches.
"When you have 30 teams, there will be a big difference between the teams. The best teams in our Western Conference are below the best teams in Europe in terms of their level.
"There are many talented individual players, but I think the structure of the matches gets lost a little in their eagerness to score. There is a very big attacking mindset over here because they always want to entertain."
How would you describe the fan experience in MLS as opposed to how it is in Europe?
"The fan experience is different here than in Europe. In Europe, the fans provide the atmosphere with tifos, banners, and songs, but here people arrive to watch the show.
"They sing the national anthem, there are fireworks, and there are advertising breaks on the Jumbotron. It's not that the fans here aren't excited, but it's just a bit different. You don't have the same conflict between home and away fans because the travelling distances are enormous, and there are never crowd disturbances."
Vancouver Whitecaps are currently third in the Western Conference behind San Diego FC and Minnesota United, but with a game in hand. They next take on St. Louis City over the weekend.
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