Back in the early 1990s, they formed a formidable partnership alongside one another at the heart of Denmark’s defence.
And although they have taken totally different journeys over these past 30 years, even today, one-time international team-mates Marc Rieper and Kent Nielsen are still only 30 miles apart.
Managing his own fashion business – BA10.dk – in Aarhus, former Hammer Rieper dresses dummies, while just up the road, Silkeborg boss Nielsen coaches his players to sell them.
“Kent’s a very good friend of mine and he’s done fantastically well as a manager here in Denmark,” insists ‘Rieps’, who is clearly full of admiration for his 54-times capped, 1992 UEFA European Championship winning compatriot. “Looking at the size of the club, it would not be unusual to see a team like Silkeborg in a relegation battle at the bottom of the Danish Superliga but last season he took them to third place in the championship round.
“This time around, they’re presently fourth in the table and up there challenging the leaders, while Kent’s taken them to the brink of qualifying for the knockout stages of a big European competition, too.
“Having played in England for Aston Villa and then been in charge at five other Danish clubs – Aarhus, Horsens, Brøndby, AaB and OB – he’s built up a lot of managerial experience over these past 20 years or so but, for me, this Silkeborg project really has been the Kent Nielsen masterpiece.
“He’s developed a good side which plays really good football and they’ve also got some interesting players, who always want to play in a very positive way. Silkeborg pass the ball well and they create lots of chances, too.”
Indeed, back in mid-September, the Hammers saw Nielsen’s Nordic game-plan at first-hand when the two sides met on the artificial surface at JYSK park, where David Moyes’ men did not always have it all their own way in a frantic five-goal encounter that eventually resulted in a 3-2 victory for the Premier League team.
“Just look at that first match between the two sides,” insists Rieper, who became the Club’s first-ever Danish player in December 1994, when he moved down West Ham way from Brøndby. “Silkeborg took the lead and, after falling behind, they had a goal disallowed. Then, despite going 1-3 down, they pulled one back and – but for Alphonse Areola’s brilliant late save – could even have equalised right at the end.
“Since then, they’ve twice beaten FCSB 5-0 both at home and over in Romania and their 12 goals make them top scorers in Group B. With just two games left – against West Ham tonight and at home to Anderlecht next Thursday – they’ll be fancying their chances of reaching those knockout stages. Silkeborg can certainly qualify.
“Of course, it’s going to be different for them at London Stadium compared to their home game but West Ham will already know Silkeborg play good stuff and that they can cause teams problems,” contends the popular 54-year-old, who notched-up 101 appearances in Claret & Blue across some three seasons in the East End following that £1.1million move from his homeland.
“As I tell people, I was the guy from Denmark who watched English football on the television from the moment that I was old enough and tall enough to be able to switch it on. Then, it became a dream come true to be able to move across to the Premier League and play with the best players in the best stadiums around.
“I loved every minute of my time at West Ham United and, in fact, would’ve done it all for free,” concedes Marc, who departed Upton Park at the start of the 1997/98 campaign to join Celtic, where a toe injury cruelly forced him into premature retirement aged just 32.
“I still follow the Hammers as much as I can and under David Moyes they’ve done amazingly well over these past couple of years both with those sixth and seventh-place finishes and last season’s run to the UEFA Europa League semi-finals.
“In fact, only last month some Hammers supporters came here to Aarhus before heading to that first game at Silkeborg and it was terrific to meet them after all these years,
“They’d had a few beers beforehand and were all in a very good mood (!) and, of course, they would’ve been even happier when they then won the match,” smiles Rieper before turning his attention back towards this evening’s return. “West Ham have qualified for the knockout stages already so we don’t know how strong their team will be tonight but, equally, they will also want to make sure that they get the point they need to win Group B outright and go straight into the round of 16, next March.
“I’m expecting another exciting match,” concludes Marc. “As the home side playing in front of their own crowd, West Ham are obviously the major favourites and, for sure, Silkeborg could possibly find themselves struggling inside London Stadium against such a big Premier League club.
“Looking at the table, though, both sides could really use one point and, while it’ll be tough for them, a draw would be a very, very good result for Kent Nielsen and Silkeborg...”
