Bayer Leverkusen Appoint Kasper Hjulmand As Coach, Replacing Erik Ten Hag

Last Updated:September 08, 2025, 20:38 IST

Bayer Leverkusen appoints Kasper Hjulmand as coach until 2027, replacing Erik ten Hag after two games. Hjulmand previously led Denmark and Nordsjaelland to major successes.

Bayer Leverkusen appointed Kasper Hjulmand as head coach (AP)

Bayer Leverkusen appointed Dane Kasper Hjulmand as coach on Monday, replacing Erik ten Hag, who was dismissed after just two league games.

The former Denmark coach has signed a contract until 2027.

“It is an honour to be entrusted with such a team", Hjulmand said in a statement, adding: “I’m motivated to shape the future of the club."

Who Is New Bayer Leverkusen Coach?

This appointment concludes a turbulent fortnight for Leverkusen, who sacked former Manchester United manager Ten Hag on September 1 after only two games in the Bundesliga season.

Ten Hag succeeded Xabi Alonso, who led Leverkusen to an unbeaten league and cup double in 2023-24, the club’s first-ever Bundesliga title, before moving to Real Madrid in the summer.

Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes acknowledged the mistake in hiring Ten Hag but stated that allowing him to continue would have been “an even bigger mistake."

Runners-up last season, Leverkusen managed just one point from their first two matches.

Ten Hag responded in a statement, calling his dismissal “unprecedented" and “a complete surprise."

Hjulmand is expected to be on the bench for Leverkusen’s home match against Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday.

Hjulmand emerged as one of several candidates for the vacant position, alongside former Barcelona coach and player Xavi, ex-Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou, and Raul, the Spain striker who recently coached Real Madrid’s second team.

The 53-year-old resigned as Denmark coach in July 2024, having led the team to the semi-finals of the Euros in 2021, narrowly losing to England. He also guided Denmark to the last 16 of Euro 2024, where they were eliminated by hosts Germany.

Rolfes said on Monday that the new manager would “set up a clear and dominant style of play with our team" and will “strive for the most ambitious national and international goals."

The manager led Nordsjaelland to their first and only Danish title in 2011-12.

Hjulmand has experience in Germany, having coached Bundesliga side Mainz for just under one season in 2014-15 before being sacked after a run of one win in 13 games.

Following Friday’s match against Frankfurt, Leverkusen will begin their Champions League campaign with a trip to Danish champions Copenhagen.

(With inputs from AFP)

Ritayan Basu

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin...Read More

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin...

Read More

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News sports Bayer Leverkusen Appoint Kasper Hjulmand As Coach, Replacing Erik Ten Hag

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