Interview: TV2.no · 23 May 2018
Interview with Simon Kjær on the first day of Denmark's World Cup camp. Simon Kjær is being asked what he thinks of Åge Hareide, who had been the coach of the Danish national team from 2016 to 2020. Fun fact: the questions are asked in Norwegian and Simon Kjær answers in Danish.
Now that you are all gathered, how’s the mood of the team?
Simon Kjær: "It’s fantastic. We’ve really looked forward to this so much, we’ve started smoothly,
it’s a perfect start and we’re looking forward to stepping out onto the training pitch."
Now you are maybe going to be together one month, maybe more, how is that going to be?
Simon Kjær: "It’s going to be intense, it’s wonderful we’re here and there are of
course going to be some points or moments in this (national team) training where a
number of things have to happen for us to get our bearings once in a while because it can
be a long time in between, but it can only be something joyful and something that we look
forward to. The game and the ball is something we talk about a little later so I’m not too anxious about it right now."
For us in Norway it's interesting with your coach Åge Hareide. How is it going to be to be together with a Norwegian over such a long period of time?
Simon Kjær: "Well, considering he’s Norwegian, he’s actually OK. But really, we have
a great relationship with Åge - the freedom he gives us and the trust he has in us as
players but also as a human being he is lovely to us and I think has also led to the success
we’ve had recently - in the last 13 games, we haven’t lost... I dont think we can be in a better
place mentally coming into this training camp and
I also think if he’s been a bit down, it will help him to see that we are happy and ready to play."
- Simon Kjær about Åge Hareide
Many thanks to Karin and Marianne for
the English translation.