Denmark’s men’s national handball coach, Nikolaj Jacobsen, has divorced his wife, Lenette Jacobsen, after more than 25 years together. Jacobsen confirmed the split as Danish media reported it on August 15, 2026.
The couple divorced during the course of this summer, Avisen Danmark reports. According to the newspaper, the coach has stated that the pair have no further comments on the matter.
The story was first reported by Ekstra Bladet, to which Jacobsen confirmed the divorce. The tabloid writes that the separation took place over the summer, without naming a precise date. Per Ekstra Bladet, Jacobsen asked that the family’s privacy be respected.
BT reports that the two met in 1995 and married in 1999. The couple have three children together, named Freja, Linus and Sille. BT’s sports section covered the split under a headline noting that it comes after more than 25 years.
Billed-Bladet notes that the divorce follows more than 25 years of marriage. The magazine adds that the couple celebrated their silver wedding anniversary in 2024, and that Jacobsen is 54 years old.
A long run as national coach
Jacobsen is one of the most decorated coaches in Danish sport. As head coach of the men’s national team he has won four consecutive world championship titles, Olympic gold in 2024 and the European championship in early 2026, according to Avisen Danmark.
In June he received the Culture Minister’s Sports Prize. The award was presented during DM-ugen, the national championship week, in Herning. Culture Minister Zenia Stampe of the Social Liberal Party said on that occasion that Jacobsen is a very particular kind of coach and leader.
Stampe said he has created historic results and helped make the Danish men’s team the best in the world. She also said he has led a national team that Danes gather around and feel part of, as reported by Avisen Danmark.
There is no statement from the Danish Handball Federation or other institutions about the divorce. All coverage rests on Jacobsen’s own brief confirmation to Ekstra Bladet. BT and Billed-Bladet both repeat that he declined to elaborate further.
The outlets agree on the core facts of the case. Jacobsen and Lenette Jacobsen divorced during the summer of 2026, and neither wishes to comment beyond confirming the split. Coverage in BT and Ekstra Bladet frames the separation as a private matter.
Jacobsen remains in charge of the men’s national team. The reporting contains no indication that the divorce affects his position or his work with the squad. Denmark’s next major tournament commitments were not addressed in the coverage of the split.
