Mainz appoint new coach

Mainz 05 reacted to the surprise departure of well-liked coach Thomas Tuchel by appointing Kasper Hjulmand on Thursday afternoon.

Hjulmand, 42, signed a three-year deal with Mainz from Danish side Nordsjaelland - a team he took to the Champions League after they claimed the Danish league title in 2012.

Mainz's sporting director Christian Heidel spoke highly of the new man in charge. "He has a very high level of expertise; he is an intelligent and meticulous coach and an advocate of attacking football," said Heidel.

As a player, Hjulmand's career was one cut short at 26 after a series of knee injuries, but as a manager he has made noticeable progress. Having taken Lyngby Boldklub into the Danish top flight in 2007, he took on a joint position in charge of Nordsjaelland the following year, before taking sole charge in 2011. His appointment at Mainz is the latest of that progression, and the Dane is a keen follower of the Bundesliga.

"I was surprised how perfectly the philosophy of the club fit with my own. For me the switch to Mainz is a decision of the heart," said Hjulmand, who will be formally introduced Monday.

Heidel is confident that Tuchel's development of the club can be continued by Hjulmand. The appointment is a welcome announcement after Tuchel's surprising departure after the final day of the season. Despite having a year left on his contract, the coach took the decision to leave even when Heidel said the club wouldn't rescind the contract.

jh/dr (AP, dpa)