Bayer Leverkusen appoint Kasper Hjulmand to replace sacked Erik ten Hag | OneFootball

Bayer Leverkusen have appointed Kasper Hjulmand as their new head coach following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag earlier this month.

Ten Hag was sacked on September 1 after just three games in charge, a turbulent spell that saw Leverkusen suffer a 2-1 defeat to Hoffenheim and squander a 3-1 lead against ten-man Werder Bremen to draw 3-3.

His only victory came against fourth-tier Sonnenhof Grossaspach in the DFB-Pokal.

Hjulmand, 52, returns to club management for the first time since leaving Nordsjaelland in 2019, having spent the past four years leading Denmark’s national team.

He guided the Danes to the semi-finals of Euro 2020 and resigned after their last-16 exit to Germany at Euro 2024. His only previous Bundesliga experience was a brief stint with Mainz in 2014-15.

The Dane has signed a contract until June 2027 and will be tasked with stabilising a Leverkusen side that has endured a difficult start to the season.

The champions of Germany and cup winners two seasons ago sit 12th in the Bundesliga with one point from two matches, following a summer of significant upheaval that saw Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz join Liverpool, captain Granit Xhaka depart for Sunderland, Jonathan Tah move to Bayern Munich and Piero Hincapie sign for Arsenal.

Bayer sporting managing director Simon Rolfes praised Hjulmand’s profile and familiarity with the club’s methods.

“We are delighted to have brought in Kasper Hjulmand, whose work we have followed closely over a long period of time,” he said. “His training methods are well known to us and he will now work with our team to re-establish a clear and proactive style of play.”

CEO Fernando Carro emphasised Hjulmand’s leadership qualities, highlighting the importance of clear guidance for a reshaped squad.

“A newly assembled team like ours, which is capable of development, needs clear guidelines and will benefit from Kasper’s transparent, communicative and empathetic style,” he said.

Hjulmand expressed excitement at the challenge of returning to German football. “I have always perceived Bayer 04 as a very well-run, well-structured and highly ambitious club,” he said.

“It is an honour to be entrusted with such a team. After outstanding successes in the past, I am very motivated by the task of shaping the future of Bayer 04 Leverkusen with both proven and exciting new players.”

Leverkusen return to action after the international break with a match against Eintracht Frankfurt on September 12.