Pierre-Emile Højbjerg apologizes after criticizing Denmark coach

Denmark national team captain Pierre-Emile Højbjerg has issued a public apology following controversial remarks made after his team’s 3-2 Nations League defeat to Norway.

Following the match, Højbjerg criticized head coach Brian Riemer’s tactical decisions, specifically suggesting that the team lacked balance because he and midfielder Morten Hjulmand possess too similar playing profiles. He had suggested that the coach should choose one of them to start rather than playing both, prioritizing the collective good over individual performance.

The comments sparked significant backlash in Denmark, with former internationals and pundits questioning the captain's leadership and the unity of the squad. Højbjerg subsequently used Instagram to apologize to his teammates, the coaching staff, and the public, stating, “I have made a mistake... one should not speak publicly about a teammate or a coach's decisions.” He clarified that he respects Hjulmand deeply and emphasized that his intention was to highlight tactical spacing issues rather than demand personal exclusion from the lineup.