Kasper Hjulmand interview

Here are some extracts from Kick-Off's interview with Kasper Hjulmand:

DW: Having packed up everything, sold your house in Denmark and moved to Germany with your wife and three school children, you've taken a pretty big step. What makes that a difficult step?

Kasper Hjulmand: Just leaving your familiar environment. The kids always lived in the same place. And my wife had had the same job for 18 years. It becomes part of your own identity. All in all, it is a major step -- but of course a really exciting one, too. We'll certainly keep evolving -- as a family and as people. I think it's healthy to stand on shaky ground once in a while. You benefit from it later.

But the ground you're on really is quite shaky. This is the Bundesliga, after all!

Yes, I've looked into it myself. The average lifespan for a Bundesliga coach is 1 year and thirteen days. So you're right: it really is uncertain terrain. But I think I've found a place where I can work long-term, where time will be on my side. But of course I'm completely aware that I'm taking a big risk with this job. That's just the way it is.

What did you do in your first days here?

"First I tried to listen. I tried to find out as much as possible about what had gone on before. I asked a ton of questions and I listened a lot."

Did you speak to your predecessor Thomas Tuchel?

"Yes, I spoke with him once. I think Jürgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel are fantastic coaches, who did great work at Mainz."

Hjulmand previously coached Danish club Nordsjælland, where he twice won the Danish title and was named Danish Coach of the Year in 2011/12. He has been coach of Mainz since July 2014.