New Bayer Leverkusen coach says 'it'll be hard work' to undo Erik ten Hag damage but says he won't 'destroy' stars to get Bundesliga side back to the top

Leverkusen have Kasper Hjulmand as their new head coach following the sacking of Ten Hag, who lasted only three games in charge. The former Denmark boss has signed a deal until the summer of 2027, marking the start of a new chapter for last season’s Bundesliga runners-up. Hjulmand’s arrival comes after a turbulent few weeks at the club, with Ten Hag dismissed on September 1 after a disastrous start that yielded just one point from Leverkusen’s opening two Bundesliga fixtures. 

Hjulmand inherits a side still reeling from the fallout of Ten Hag’s failed tenure, who replaced double-winning coach Xabi Alonso after he left for Real Madrid in the summer. Ten Hag, seen as a risky appointment after his struggles at Manchester United, failed to click with the squad and was quickly let go. Sporting director Simon Rolfes admitted hiring him was “an error” but stressed that prolonging his stay would have been “an even bigger mistake.”

For Leverkusen, Hjulmand represents a stabilising choice. A respected tactician with international pedigree, he guided Denmark to the semi-finals of Euro 2021 and has earned a reputation for calm, principled leadership, most notably in the aftermath of Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest at Euro 2020. His appointment signals a return to a more collaborative, player-focused culture, with the aim of regaining momentum and pushing back to the Bundesliga summit.

At his unveiling, Hjulmand asked for patience but expressed optimism about turning things around. "It will be hard work, but the potential is great," he said. "We're trying to get it going. We don't know when, but hopefully it will suddenly explode. I will do everything I can to make Bayer Leverkusen a successful football team."

The 53-year-old also revealed why the move to Leverkusen felt right: "I have the feeling that I can be myself here. To be honest, there was only one club that could give me that feeling, and that's Leverkusen.

"I am very demanding, demanding discipline, but I don't shout at anyone. I don't have to. To destroy people, to show that I'm a strong leader. For me, it's about doing things together and empowering the people around me so they feel strong and can be themselves."

Hjulmand’s immediate task is to steady the ship after Leverkusen’s start and restore belief at a club that, just over a year ago, was celebrating a historic unbeaten season. His debut against Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday will offer the first glimpse of his philosophy in action.

"I like to communicate and am honest and direct. I say what I mean. I don't hide anything. I expect that from the people around me, too," he said.