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Kasper Hjulmand, who resigned as Denmark’s national team coach in July 2024 following a Round of 16 exit at Euro 2024, reportedly has a reputation for progressive and attacking football. His most notable achievement came at Euro 2020, where he led Denmark to the semi-finals, narrowly losing 2-1 to England after extra time. During his four-year tenure with Denmark, Hjulmand won 32 of 54 matches, achieving a 59.3% win rate, and secured qualification for the 2022 World Cup. His earlier success includes guiding FC Nordsjaelland to their only Danish Superliga title in 2011-12. Hjulmand also has Bundesliga experience, having managed Mainz 05 in the 2014-15 season, though his stint ended after a run of one win in 13 games.
In an attempt to move swiftly after having a turbulent start to the 2025-26 Bundesliga season, appointing Kasper Hjulmand as their new head coach on September 8, 2025, just one week after sacking Erik ten Hag. The 53-year-old Dane, who guided Denmark to the semi-finals of the 2021 European Championship, has signed a contract until June 30, 2027, tasked with reviving the fortunes of the 2023-24 Bundesliga champions. “It is an honour to be entrusted with such a team,” Hjulmand said in a statement on the club’s website. Hjulmand’s appointment ends a chaotic fortnight for Leverkusen, who parted ways with ten Hag after a mere two league games, marking one of the shortest managerial tenures in the club’s history.
Bayer Leverkusen entered the season as defending champions after an unbeaten domestic double in 2023-24
The appointment of Kasper Hjulmand follows a tumultuous period for Leverkusen, who entered the season as defending champions after an unbeaten domestic double under Xabi Alonso in 2023-24, securing their first-ever Bundesliga title and the DFB-Pokal. Alonso’s departure to Real Madrid in the summer reportedly triggered a significant squad overhaul, with key players Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz joining Liverpool, Granit Xhaka moving to Sunderland, Jonathan Tah signing for Bayern Munich, and Piero Hincapie transferring to Arsenal. The loss of these stars left Leverkusen vulnerable, and Ten Hag, hired to succeed Alonso, struggled to adapt. A 2-1 defeat to Hoffenheim and a 3-3 draw against 10-man Werder Bremen, after squandering a 3-1 lead, left Leverkusen 12th in the Bundesliga with just one point from two matches.
Ten Hag’s dismissal on September 1, after only three games, was described by the Dutchman as “unprecedented” and a “complete surprise.” He criticized the club, stating there was “never a relationship based on mutual trust,” a remark that reportedly strained his relationship with Leverkusen’s hierarchy.
Hjulmand’s first test comes on September 12, when Leverkusen host Eintracht Frankfurt at the BayArena. A trip to FC Copenhagen in the UEFA Champions League follows, a poignant fixture for the Dane given his history with the national team. Leverkusen’s squad, bolstered by new signings like Lucas Vazquez from Real Madrid, includes talents like Nathan Tella and Victor Boniface, who will look to Hjulmand for inspiration after a lackluster start under Ten Hag.
