Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand has distanced himself from Premier League strugglers Everton following the sacking of Rafael Benitez, as reported by Tribal Football.
The list of coaches linked with a move to Goodison Park this week looks more varied, more diverse than Joe Strummer’s back catalogue.
There’s club legends (Wayne Rooney), 60-something veterans (Lucien Favre), up-and-coming tacticians (Gennaro Gattuso) and even a manager who was sacked by Farhad Moshiri back in 2016.
According to reports, Rooney, Roberto Martinez and the out-of-work Frank Lampard are the current frontrunners.
So it’s tempting to view Hjulmand as little more than a back-up option should things go a little bit ‘Spursy’ on Gwladys Street.
But it’s worth mentioning that Hjulmand is actually the first manager to have been linked with Everton, when Benitez’s job looked safe.
Well, about as safe as a job can look on the blue half of Merseyside these days.
Danish publication BT claim that Everton made an enquiry about Hjulmand’s availability in December.
Who will replace Rafa Benitez as Everton manager?
“I have no idea what will happen in the future,” explains the 49-year-old.
Hjulmand’s stock has never been higher, after guiding Denmark to within touching distance of the Euro 2020 final last summer.
“I have no other thoughts (other) than the national team. I’m planning a great year.
“And as long as I share a dream with those who hired me, then that’s what we will do, knowing that anything can happen.”
There is a World Cup on the horizon after all.
With talents such as Joakim Maehle, Simon Kjaer, Kasper Schmeichel, Mikkel Damsgaard, Kasper Dolberg and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg at his disposal, who’s to say Hjulmand’s Denmark cannot go one step further in Qatar?
Hjulmand briefly succeeded Thomas Tuchel at Mainz a few years ago. He also distanced himself from the Aston Villa job when Dean Smith was sacked in November.
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