Denmark sub in Knudsen for Nations League games with Wieghorst on sick leave

August 27 – Augsburg assistant manager Lars Knudsen, has been appointed to lead the Danish national team on a temporary basis in September against Switzerland and Serbia in the Nations League with interim coach Morten Wieghorst unavailable because of sick leave. 

A former Denmark international, Wieghorst has minor stress symptoms and will be replaced by Knudsen for the Nations League double header next month, the Danish FA (DBU) confirmed.

In a statement, DBU director Peter Moller said: “It is extremely sad that Morten has been affected by illness and therefore has to sit out the upcoming Nations League matches. Unfortunately, stress affects far too many Danes, and it is therefore something we take very seriously. Morten needs rest, and we all want him to recover quickly and be ready again for the next meeting.”

Wieghorst succeeded Kasper Hjulmand on an interim basis after the latter departed in the wake of Euro 2024 in Germany where the Danish drew their three group games European Championship before exiting against hosts Germany in the round of 16. At Euro 2020, Hjulmand had taken his side to the last four after talisman Christian Eriksen collapsed with cardiac failure in a group stage match against Finland. 

Knudsen previously was a set piece coach with the United States before joining Augsburg in January. He will manage the Danish at home against Switzerland and Serbia as the new Nations League campaign gets underway. Spain complete Group 4 in the A League.

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