Kasper Hjulmand Steps Down as Denmark National Team Manager

Kasper Hjulmand has resigned as manager of Denmark's national football team after a winless run in Euro 2024. Morten Wieghorst, his assistant since 2020, will take over as interim manager until 2025. Hjulmand cited the need for new energy and a fresh face to lead the team.

Kasper Hjulmand has stepped down as the manager of Denmark's national football team following a winless run in the Euro 2024 qualifiers, the Danish Football Association announced on Friday.

Morten Wieghorst, who served as Hjulmand's assistant since 2020 and previously coached Denmark's under-21 team, will assume the role of interim national coach until 2025. Hjulmand, after four years at the helm, expressed that the team needed new energy and requested the termination of his contract, which was initially set to last another year.

The Danish team has failed to secure a victory in their last seven matches in major tournaments, including the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 European Championship, managing to score only three goals. Their latest 2-0 defeat to Germany in the round of 16 highlighted their struggles in the attacking department.

"I have given everything I had to achieve success and to get the people to rally around the team. Representing one's country is absolutely the greatest thing I can imagine," the 52-year-old coach said in a statement. "When I look two years ahead to the World Cup 2026, I feel that it will be best for the team that a new face with new ideas comes in, who can write a new big chapter for this amazing team.

Therefore it is best that someone else leads the team forward. It's not about me. It's about what's best for the team." Hjulmand led Denmark to the semi-finals of Euro 2020 and received praise for their strong performance in the 2024 qualifiers

Despite topping their qualifying group, Denmark finished last in their group at the Qatar World Cup.

(With inputs from agencies.)