The UEFA Champions League took its modern form under the guidance of Lennart Johansson, who served as president of the Union of European Football Associations from 1990 until 2007. His tenure transformed European club football, moving the organization’s base of operations from Bern to Nyon while managing significant shifts in the continent's administrative and commercial sporting landscape.
Professional Beginnings
Born in 1929 in the Bromma district of Stockholm, Johansson spent four decades working for Forbo Holding, beginning in 1950. His trajectory at the flooring company moved from errand-boy to CEO and chairman by the time he retired from the firm in 1990. During this period, he also balanced his industrial career with roles in sports management, leading the Swedish club AIK between 1967 and 1980.
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Johansson served as president of the Swedish Football Association from 1985 to 1990. His influence expanded internationally after he was elected to lead UEFA at the congress in Malta. He was instrumental in replacing the European Cup with the Champions League format. He also held board positions at Tipstjänst and Operakällaren starting in 1984.
FIFA and Later Years
In 1998, Johansson unsuccessfully challenged Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency, losing by 111 votes to 80. Following the election, he publicly criticized FIFA for financial mismanagement. He stepped down from his UEFA presidency in 2007, succeeded by Michel Platini. In his final years, he chaired a committee focused on integrating bandy into the Olympic programme.
Legacy and Honors
The Allsvenskan league trophy was renamed the Lennart Johanssons Pokal in 2001. His contributions to sports and diplomacy were recognized internationally with numerous awards, including the Order of Friendship and the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. He passed away in Stockholm on 4 June 2019 at the age of 89.
Fast facts
- Born: 1929, Bromma, Sweden
- Died: 4 June 2019, Stockholm
- UEFA Presidency: 1990–2007
- Career at Forbo Holding: 1950–1990
- Positions: Industrialist, sports executive, politician
- Languages: Swedish, English, German
Questions readers ask
What was Johansson's role in the Champions League?
He helped found the UEFA Champions League, which replaced the previous European Cup format.
Did he ever lead FIFA?
No, he contested the 1998 FIFA presidential election against Sepp Blatter but lost.
Achievements
- Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany — 2005
- Order of Friendship — 1999
- Order of Merit, 1st class
- Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, 3rd class
- H. M. The King's Medal
- Affiliated with Forbo Holding
