According to Danish media outlet Gianlucadimarzio, FC Midtjylland Technical Director Kristian Kjær stated that the team hopes to qualify for the UEFA Europa Conference League group stage. Players Dario Osorio and Franculino Djú are reportedly attracting attention from top Serie A clubs.

Planning, project-oriented, and continuity – these three words best summarize FC Midtjylland's philosophy. Over the years, this team from Herning has long ceased to be just a "dark horse" in Danish football; it has become an advanced model studied across Europe.

This work stems from long-term accumulation and also aims for a higher stage. FC Midtjylland Technical Director Kristian Kjær stated in a media interview: "We want to qualify for the Europa Conference League and compete for opportunities in the league and domestic cup. We are doing a good job now." This continuous growth also comes from learning from excellent European clubs. Speaking of this, Kjær looked towards Italy: "Atalanta is doing a very good job in football club operations."

The connection between Denmark and Serie A is very clear and active. Kjær stated: "We have good relationships with several clubs. For example, Bologna, because of Erlić's transfer, he came to Denmark in August 2025." Italy also has many "Danish stories" related to FC Midtjylland. Kjær said: "In August 2023, we sold Isaksen to Lazio. Simon Kjær, who played for Milan, Roma, and Palermo, is on our board. And Dovbyk, he is a player I signed in the past, who played for us from 2017 to 2019, and joined Bologna on loan from Roma a few days ago."

Kjær works for FC Midtjylland, but from 2020 to 2022, he also collaborated with Brentford. He said: "At that time, we had the same owner. Matthew Benham owned both FC Midtjylland and Brentford, so collaboration was natural. As a club, and personally, we learned a lot by working with high-level talent."

Regarding Franculino Djú, Dario Osorio, and the future, FC Midtjylland finished second in the 2025-26 Danish Superliga with 60 points, seven points behind Aarhus. This season also provided Kjær with a lot of important information, including the performance of the league's top scorer, Franculino Djú. The striker, born in 2004, scored 17 goals. There's also the equally-aged Chilean winger Dario Osorio, whose key performances have made him an important member of both the club and the Chilean national team.

Kjær stated: "Both of them are very important to us. Franculino Djú started preparing for the new season earlier than everyone else, starting 10 days before the official gathering and doing two training sessions a day. Scoring goals is his way of communicating, and he also scored against Cardiff and Odense. Both he and Dario Osorio are attracting attention from top clubs in Italy and elsewhere."

This planning is crucial for the future. For players, starting at a club like FC Midtjylland can be a very important step. Simsir is an example. The 23-year-old forward made 143 appearances for FC Midtjylland, scoring 25 goals and providing 37 assists, including 15 assists in a single season, matching the Danish Superliga historical assist record. In recent weeks, he transferred to Trabzonspor for 15 million Euros.

Kjær revealed: "When we signed Dario Osorio in 2023, the competition from Italian clubs was fierce. But Dario understood that instead of risking limited playing time in Serie A, it was better to ensure almost continuous participation in the league and cup here, preparing for a big leap in the future."

Kjær continued: "When we communicate with players, our biggest advantage is the concrete plan on the table. We can guarantee playing time, offer the chance to compete for titles, and allow players to work in a healthy environment. For young players at this level, FC Midtjylland is an ideal springboard. It can help you grow on and off the field and successfully send you to the top four leagues in Europe."

Thorup also plays an important role in the team's growth. The Danish coach, born in 1985, played as a forward during his career. In the 2007-08 season, he played for Reggina in Italy, making a total of 7 appearances in Serie A and the Coppa Italia. Afterwards, Thorup grew into a coach at Borussia Dortmund, working in their youth academy from 2019 to September 2025. From late January to early February 2025, after Nuri Sahin's departure, he also served as interim head coach of the Borussia Dortmund first team, leading them in Bundesliga matches against Werder Bremen and Heidenheim, achieving one win and one draw, and beating Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.

Kjær commented: "He's doing an excellent job. He's a great person on and off the field, friendly and enthusiastic. He demands a lot from his players, and the training quality is strong and of a high standard. He likes to get to know the players personally. We are very satisfied with Thorup, and I personally think he is a very good fit for this team."

FC Midtjylland is a pioneer in the use of data and expected goals, and has been ahead of its time for many years. So, what will be the next key differentiator? Kjær gave a clear answer: "Artificial intelligence will inevitably affect scouting work, and not just in scouting. Anyone can now access certain data and understand a particular player. When advancing player negotiations, what truly makes a difference is the ability to assess the human aspect, that is, to anticipate whether this young person can adapt to our style and environment."

This clear vision has transformed FC Midtjylland from merely a "transit station" to Serie A and major European leagues into a true reference point for the future development of football.

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