Bayer Leverkusen finds Ten Hag's replacement

2024 German champions Bayer Leverkusen have reached an agreement with former Denmark national team coach, Kasper Hjulmand. He has been without a job since January.

Bayer Leverkusen capitalised on the international break to make a coaching change. After dismissing Erik ten Hag, the “Werkself” have agreed terms with former Denmark national team coach Kasper Hjulmand, with an official announcement expected today or tomorrow.

Hjulmand managed his home country's national team for four years, until July 2024. Subsequently, the 53-year-old tactician worked at FC Nordsjaelland in various capacities, before announcing in January 2025 that he would be taking a break.

This isn't the Dane's first stint in the Bundesliga. From July 2014 to February 2015, he was at the helm of Mainz 05.

The German club also had Ange Postecoglou, Radu Drăgușin's former coach at Tottenham, on their shortlist.

However, they ultimately opted for Hjulmand's more balanced style, which is similar to Xabi Alonso's, over the Australian's ultra-offensive approach.

The contract duration and salary are not yet known, but according to Bild and Kicker, the Danish coach will make his debut on Friday against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Hjulmand will need to quickly rectify the damage caused by Erik ten Hag. The former Manchester United coach was a disaster at Leverkusen.

He failed to connect with the players, resulting in a 2-1 loss to Hoffenheim and a 3-3 draw with Werder in the first two Bundesliga matches.

His only victory came in the first round of the German Cup, a 4-0 win against SG Sonnenhof Großaspach from Germany's regional southwest league. This was far too little for Bayer's management to continue showing him confidence.