New era for Super Eagles star! Leverkusen name former defender as new coach just 7 days after Ten Hag sack

Bayer Leverkusen have swiftly appointed a new head coach just seven days after parting ways with Erik Ten Hag, providing fresh leadership for their Super Eagles winger Nathan Tella in the ongoing season.

Tella will now work under his second coach of the campaign as Kasper Hjulmand takes over as Bayer Leverkusen’s new manager, with a contract running until 2027, the club confirmed.

Hjulmand arrives after resigning as head coach of the Danish national team earlier this year following their Round of 16 exit at UEFA EURO 2024.

Born in 1972 in Denmark, Kasper Hjulmand’s playing career as a defender was cut short by injury at the age of 26. He transitioned to coaching, leading clubs such as Lyngby and FC Nordsjælland, winning the Danish Superliga in 2012, and also managing Mainz 05 during the 2014/15 Bundesliga season.

His tenure with Denmark’s national team from 2020 to 2024 was highlighted by guiding the Danes to the semifinals of Euro 2020 and managing them at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Bayer Leverkusen’s managing director of sport, Simon Rolfes, expressed enthusiasm about the appointment:

“We are delighted to have brought in Kasper Hjulmand, whose work we have followed closely over a long period of time. His assistant coach with Denmark, Ismael Camenforte, also worked for us for several years. Kasper even recommended Ismael to us at the time. As a result, his training methods are well known to us at the club and Kasper also knows our club very well from the last few years.”

Rolfes added that Hjulmand will focus on re-establishing a clear and proactive style of play, aiming to develop the Werkself into a top team competing for ambitious national and international honours.

With this new appointment, Tella and his teammates look forward to a fresh start under experienced leadership in the Bundesliga.