Kenneth Jonassen will step down in the new year as Danish head coach after eight years in the post. (Archive photo). Photo: Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix
50-year-old Kenneth Jonassen will not be idle when he steps down as Danish national coach in the New Year.
He is thus the new national coach for Malaysia’s singles players from the turn of the year.
This is announced by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) on its website.
– After an intensive search, BAM has secured Jonassen’s workforce. He is a highly respected figure in international badminton.
– The 50-year-old Dane has an indisputable reputation after he played a key role in shaping Denmark’s badminton heritage, writes the association.
Jonassen has been the Danish head coach for the past eight years – a record in the association. Before that, he was associated with the Danish national coaching group for three years, after he had been national coach in England.
He has led teams and players to great triumphs such as Olympic and World Cup gold. He was also part of the national coaching team which in 2016 led Denmark to the historic Thomas Cup triumph.
Jonassen is employed on a four-year contract in his new job.
In Denmark, the current national doubles coach Thomas Stavngaard, who has been with the national team since 2015, takes over the job from Jonassen.
– I will succeed the most successful national coach in Denmark’s history. Although many say that it is going downhill, we have never had such good results as under Kenneth, said 50-year-old Stavngaard at the beginning of November.
Stavnsgaard will continue to be responsible for the doubles players. Hans-Kristian Vittinghus will thus train the Danish singles players.
