Rilwan Hassan has returned to FC Midtjylland in a new role this season as one of two assistant coaches with the club’s U19 team. The 35-year-old, who made 264 first-team appearances for Midtjylland and later played for Sønderjyske and India’s Sreenidi Deccan FC, has settled into coaching after ending his playing career. His honours include two Danish league titles and two domestic cups.
Guiding Young Talents at FC Midtjylland
Hassan is especially focused on guiding young players arriving from FC Ebedei in Nigeria, the same pathway he once followed. A former attacking winger, Hassan remembers how Nigerian teammates helped him adapt when he first reached Danish football, and he now aims to provide similar support to the next generation. Much of his work centers on helping the players adjust to life off the pitch as well as on it. He spends time explaining differences in daily routines, such as nutrition, rest and sleep, and even how the short winter daylight can affect habits. The staff plans afternoon activities to maintain healthy sleep and recovery patterns.
Hassan did not always picture himself as a coach, but he sees value in being a role model who passes on experience. He says the transition to leading larger groups has been gradual, and he is growing more comfortable working with a squad that also includes players from Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden. There are currently seven players with FC Ebedei backgrounds in Midtjylland’s oldest academy squad. Hassan gives them close attention and stays in frequent contact. On match days, he speaks individually with players to clarify roles and expectations, whether they are starting or coming off the bench, ensuring everyone understands their tasks and the team’s direction.
Midtjylland’s U19s opened the season with uneven results, but momentum has improved with two straight wins and a 7-0 combined score over the last two matches. Hassan sees strong potential in the group and believes the Nigerian players are making the right strides. He points to leadership within the team, including Olaide Jamal and Joseph Okuaghare, as an influence that lifts others.
His broader aim at the academy is clear: to help Nigerian talents add the final details needed to reach Superliga level and reestablish the path from Ebedei to Midtjylland’s first team. He is confident several players have the ability to make that step. The return to Midtjylland is also personal. Hassan describes a sense of homecoming among former teammates and colleagues and notes that Denmark has been his base for many years. He has lived in the country for 18 years, and his family is settled there.
The U19 side faces a major test on Saturday when F.C. København visits EDC Arena, with kickoff at 13:00. This match could serve as a crucial moment in the season, showcasing the growth and development of the team under Hassan’s guidance.