Kasper Hjulmand was once released in Mainz as a supposed tactic nerd. After that, he showed his human class, especially with Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest. Bayer Leverkusen is now relating to them.
Kasper Hjulmand is back. 3860 days after his release at 1st FSV Mainz 05, the 53-year-old will sit on the bench again in the Bundesliga. As the successor to Erik Ten Hag, he will jump directly into the ice-cold top game water with Bayer Leverkusen, the opponent is Eintracht Frankfurt (Friday, 8:30 p.m.).
Mainz manager Heidel was wrong with him
Christian Heidel, discoverer of Jürgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel in Mainz, said at the time that Hjulmand was one “Towering coach”but “In addition to tactics, we now also need a lot of emotion. Here a team has to grow together with the fans”. The success (successor Martin Schmidt saved Mainz) may have been right, but the Neu-Leverkusener has now demonstrated that Hjulmand is far away from a (low-emotion) tactic nerd.
Kasper Hjulmand and Christian Heidel on the coaching bench from FSV Mainz 05
Heidel said two years later: “Kasper Hjulmand is a top coach. Maybe I had too little patience with him at the time – I was afraid for Mainz 05.” After his Bundesliga discer, the Danes went to FC Nordsjaelland – with the club he became champion in 2012. Hjulmand was unable to build on the success, but third place in his first full season is still the second best placement of the club since the title.
Hjulmand’s handling of Eriksen’s cardiac arrest
In Nordsjaelland, the studied sports scientist was not only successful because of his tactical skill, but he was already characterized there by his outstanding dealings with the people around him. Hjulmand is a player understander, but also finds the right words to the executive floors and, above all, to the fans. So Heidel had exactly what he wanted – he just didn’t see it.
But that was the same to see the whole world. On and after June 12, 2021, Hjulmand showed how much light he can give when everything is dark around him. In the European Championship game against Finland, the Danish superstar Christian Eriksen had cardiac arrest and the behavior of the coach afterwards is a prime example of leadership quality and empathy.
The Danish national team stands for its teammate Eriksen, who is reanimated
If you need help, you can find them at Hjulmand
The English “Guardian” Hjulmand described as “Rallying point” – In German this is the place, for example, at folk festivals or in amusement parks where you meet when someone is lost. If you don’t know where to go, Hjulmand is there. And he also used the public, kept them away from the players – the media got information and did not have to get them. Hjulmand organized psychological help with the Association.
What the then national coach Denmark did – he practiced significant criticism of the UEFA and further enlarged the protective shield for his team. Hjulmand criticized that the game against Finland was continued, later he even said that Denmark had been put under pressure.
“How Kasper Hjulmand combined a nation”
The European Championship will always remain unforgettable in the country, not only because of the tragic Eriksen incident, but also because of what followed. The Danes made it into the semi -finals and only failed there in extension to England. The Danish UEFA correspondent Sture Sandö published a text with the heading as a preliminary report on the association page: “How Kasper Hjulmand combined a nation.”
Kasper Hjulmand celebrates with the Danish fans
The journalist reports in it, like Hjulmand before his start as a national coach “Musician, managing director, royal ceremonies and the former Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt” contacted, “To deepen his understanding of Denmark’s national identity”. Tactically, Hjulmand is considered “Innovative and brave coach”but it is the great strength that his coaching goes beyond the soccer field.
Hjulmand convinces with “principles of team leadership”
In order to get the Bayer DNA, he should only need selected guides. “For several years, his assistant coach was with the Danish national team, Ismael Camenforte, also worked for us at the same time. Kasper even recommended to us personally.said sports director Simon Rolfes.
And managing director Fernando Carro emphasized the point that is obvious at Hjulmand and who – in the opinion of the Bayer managers – makes him a suitable turning trainer according to ten HAG. “In addition to the technically strong arguments as a trainer, Kasper Hjulmand’s principles of team leadership also convinced us”said the 61-year-old.
Carro on: “A newly compiled and development -capable team like ours needs significant specifications and will benefit from the transparent, communicative and empathic style of Kasper.” Leverkusen relies on Hjulmand. Has gave him fame and honor in Denmark – now also in the second attempt in Germany?