Nils Johan Semb

{{short description|Norwegian footballer and coach (born 1959)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}

{{BLP sources|date=May 2009}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Nils Johan Semb

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| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1959|02|24|df=y}}

| birth_place = Horten, Norway

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| manageryears1 = 1990-1991

| manageryears2 = 1992-1998

| manageryears3 = 1998-2003

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| managerclubs1 = Norway U21

| managerclubs2 = Norway U21

| managerclubs3 = Norway

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Nils Johan Semb (born 24 February 1959) was the coach of the Norway national football team from 1998 to 2003, presiding over 68 matches.{{Cite encyclopedia| publisher = Kunnskapsforlaget| last = Pedersen| first = Ole Petter| title = Nils Johan Semb| encyclopedia = Store norske leksikon| location = Oslo| access-date = 29 May 2009| url = http://www.snl.no/Nils_Johan_Semb}}

He led the team to its first European Football Championship in 2000. Though successful, at least in the beginning of his tenure, he drew heavy criticism for his team's defense-oriented style, where long balls, counter-attacks and direct passes were hallmarks of their attacking style. He was replaced by Åge Hareide in 2003. He was a commentator for TV 2, then resigned in 2009 to become the Chief of Elite Football at the Football Association of Norway.{{cite web|title=Semb blir toppfotballsjef|url=http://www.dagbladet.no/2009/10/08/sport/fotball/landslaget/8480185/|publisher=Dagbladet|access-date=9 February 2015|language=no|date=8 October 2009}}

He was educated at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences.{{cite news|title=40 år og fortsatt full fart|last=Bugge|first=Mette|date=5 September 2008|work=Aftenposten|page=20|language=no}}