Kasper Hjulmand will be the Denmark manager at World Cup 2022, tasked with producing another strong showing for the nation in an international tournament.
A former defender for Danish lower-league sides, Hjulmand was forced to retire at the age of 26 due to a serious knee injury. He soon moved into coaching with Danish Superliga side Lyngby's U18s. Hjulmand then became manager of the club in 2006, winning the Danish first division in the 2006/07 season to guide Lyngby back to the top flight.
He only stayed at Lynbgy for another six months, though, leaving for Nordsjælland to become their assistant manager. After three years in that role, he took over as manager in 2011, lasting three seasons until the end of the 2013/14 campaign. Under Hjulmand's leadership, Nordsjælland won their first Danish championship.
Kasper Hjulmand opted for a new challenge in 2014, succeeding Thomas Tuchel as manager at Mainz. He only lasted until February, though, winning just once in his final 13 league matches before being sacked.
The Denmark manager returned to Nordsjælland at the start of 2016 for a second spell in charge, turning the club's fortunes back around. After guiding the club to ninth in the season he joined, the following two seasons yielded respective sixth and third place finishes.
In January 2019, Anderlecht approached Nordsjælland to acquire Hjulmand as their manager, but the Belgian club didn't want to pay Nordsjælland's compensation fee. With Hjulmand's contract expiring at the end of the season, the Dane announced he wouldn't be extending.
However, Nordsjælland and Hjulmand parted company earlier than the end of his contract, by mutual agreement in March 2019.
In June 2019, Hjulmand was announced as Åge Hareide's successor as manager of Denmark, following the conclusion of Euro 2020. Unfortunately for Hareide, he didn't have the opportunity to lead the nation at Euro 2020, and instead Hjulmand managed Denmark at the postponed tournament.
Kasper Hjulmand didn't too badly, either. Denmark managed to reach the semi-finals of the Euros, losing to England in extra-time after a controversial penalty was awarded.
Since becoming Denmark manager, Kasper Hjulmand has taken charge of 34 games, winning 23 and losing just nine.
Hjulmand will have a strong Denmark World Cup squad to choose from, as Denmark play Tunisia, France and Australia in their World Cup 2022 group.
