Eagled-eyed Liverpool fans may have noticed a familiar face in the Denmark dugout as they faced Slovenia in their opening match of the 2024 Euros.
The 2024 Euros have finally kicked off, with a month of international football now underway. Alongside England in Group C is Serbia, Slovenia and Denmark with the latter two facing each first.
Both countries will be looking to have a good start to the tournament to give themselves the best possible chance of getting out of the groups.
Denmark has a history in the competition and famously won the Euros in 1992, despite not originally qualifying.
Now, Liverpool fans may have spotted a familiar face in the dugout who helped the Scandinavian side reach Germany this summer.
Former Liverpool flop Christian Poulsen spotted in the dugout at the 2024 Euros
The early 2010s were dark days for Liverpool. The club had just lost Rafa Benitez with Roy Hodgson becoming the new Reds manager.
One of his first signings at the club was Christian Poulsen, with the Dane joining from Juventus for £4.5 million.
However, like the former England manager, his time at Anfield was not a success. Playing only 21 times, the midfielder struggled to make a big effect on the side.
After Hodgson’s sacking, Poulsen began an upwards turn in form but this did not prevent his eventual transfer from the club just a year after joining in August 2011.
The Dane’s career improved after this, enjoying another four years, winning two league titles at Ajax.
Now, since his retirement, he has taken up coaching, with Poulsen now the assistant manager for Denmark.
Ex-Liverpool star Christian Poulsen out to impress for Denmark at Euro 2024
In his playing career, Poulsen played a massive role for his country. The midfielder accumulated 92 caps for the Scandinavian nation over an 11-year period. Now, Poulsen is looking to carry on this experience with his country off the field.
After spending two years at Ajax, Poulsen became the Denmark assistant in July 2021. Working with manager Kasper Hjulmand, the nation disappointed at the 2022 World Cup after finishing bottom of Group D with just one point.
However, Poulsen’s coaching experience is only improving. In March 2023, the former Liverpool man took part in the UEFA Pro licence student exchange. This helped him gain valuable experience from several world-class coaches.
Speaking on the experience, he told UEFA: “It’s a big thing for us as students that UEFA invites us here. Each nation has its own way of doing coach education, but I think the more we can exchange, the more value we will create for the Pro licence course.
“To pick up the experiences of people like Rafa Benítez and Giovanni van Bronckhorst as well is very helpful. It’s a good mix of those names and others who come with a lot of knowledge. It’s been a really good balance.”
The post What ex-Liverpool player Christian Poulsen is doing now as fans spot star at Euro 2024 appeared first on HITC.