Kasper Hjulmand insists he is ‘super happy’ to be the Denmark manager amid reports indicating that Premier League strugglers Everton have identified him as Rafael Benitez’s replacement, speaking to BT.
Benitez would have known, deep down, that if things did not go well at Goodison Park, patience would be in short supply.
And, just six days after Demarai Gray’s scorching last-minute strike saw off Arsenal, the former Liverpool boss was once again greeted by a chorus of boos at Selhurst Park.
Benitez’s decision to sub off Richarlison – with Everton a goal down away to Crystal Palace – certainly didn’t go down particularly well amongst the visiting support.
Or, given the look on his face, the man himself.
Benitez attempted to clear up the situation post-match, telling Sky Sports that Richarlison had suffered an injury during Everton’s 3-1 defeat in South London.
Either way, the reaction that followed the Brazilian’s 58 minute removal spoke volumes about the relationship between the Toffees fans and their far-from-popular head coach.
Could Everton sack Rafa Benitez?
If reports are to be believed, Everton are in the midst of identifying potential replacements during a run of one win in nine Premier League games.
Hjulmand, according to Danish publication BT, is a leading candidate after leading Denmark to within touching distance of the European Championship final.
But, having already distanced himself from the Aston Villa job before Steven Gerrard’s appointment last month, Hjulmand once again took the opportunity to commit his future to the national team ahead of the Qatar World Cup.
“Along the way, I have had the opportunity for jobs that may objectively be bigger,” explains 49-year-old Hjulmand.
“For me, the biggest thing to be a national coach. When I became one, I said it was a choice made with the heart.
“I think that this year has helped to confirm to me that you can stick career plans to a certain extent. It’s about what you can do about now, and I’m super happy with this job.”
Everton, it seems, can cross Hjulmand’s name of their wishlist. The 2022 World Cup is less than 12 months away now and the Dane is going nowhere.
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