Aston Villa are now looking towards Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand as a potential replacement for under-fire manager Dean Smith.
That’s according to The Sun, who claim that Hjulmand is emerging as a target for Villa if they part ways with Smith.
Villa have lost five Premier League games in a row now, and Smith is under huge pressure to turn it around.
Hjulmand’s style of play with Denmark at Euro 2020 is thought to have impressed the Villa hierarchy.
What’s interesting is that Hjulmand actually has ties to Aston Villa’s sporting director Johan Lange.
The pair previously worked together at Lyngby in their native Denmark, and Lange could push for a reunion.
The rumour comes just days after the Daily Mail suggested that Villa are considering Paulo Fonseca, with more and more rumours emerging about Smith’s potential successor.
Who is Aston Villa target Kasper Hjulmand?
Hjulmand, 49, came through the coaching ranks at Lyngby after a relatively uneventful playing career.
After shining in a spell at Norsjaelland, Hjulmand replaced Thomas Tuchel as Mainz boss in 2014. With just five wins in 24 games, that spell didn’t last long.
Hjulmand returned to Nordsjaelland for almost three years before leaving by mutual consent in 2019, and took over the Danish national team a year later.
Hjulmand’s Denmark side battled adversity following Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest, battling on together whilst playing great football to reach the semi-finals.
His mixed record outside of Denmark may be a concern, but Hjulmand is considered to be an influential coach in his home country and that could really appeal to Lange at Villa.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
