Spaniard comes from FC Toulouse
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After several setbacks in the search for a coach, Bayer 04 Leverkusen has found a new head coach – and surprised with a previously unused person. As journalist Matteo Moretto, writing for the Spanish newspaper “Marca”, first reported and has now officially confirmed, Carles Martínez will succeed Kasper Hjulmand at the Werkself and will receive a two-year contract.
The 42-year-old, born in Barcelona, has been coaching the French first division club FC Toulouse for three years and can take the next step on a free transfer because his contract is expiring. He was previously assistant coach of the ninth-place team from December 2022 to June 2023 last season. Martínez gained experience as a coach in the youth teams of Espanyol and FC Barcelona as well as in the youth teams of Qatar’s Al-Rayyan and in Kuwait. Toulouse became the first stop as a head coach in the Spaniard’s career. In 120 games, Martínez had an average points average of 1.35.
After a disappointing season that ended without qualifying for the Champions League, Dane Hjulmand has to leave Leverkusen. The Bundesliga club recently lost out to Andoni Iraola because the 43-year-old is set to succeed Arne Slot at Liverpool after his confirmed departure from Bournemouth. Bayer 04 had previously also tried to sign the Brazilian Filipe Luís, but he has now agreed to work with AS Monaco, it is said. The Austrian Oliver Glasner, who is leaving Conference League winner Crystal Palace, was also traded.
According to “Sport Bild”, another Spaniard, Míchel, was very popular with the 2024 German champions after his end at Girona – but he has now landed at Ajax Amsterdam. And according to a “Bild” report, outgoing Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa has offered himself to the Werkself. But those responsible around managing directors Simon Rolfes and Fernando Carro rejected him. Now Martínez won the race, who in turn was also considered a candidate for Girona.
This is how Bayer Leverkusen welcomes its new coach Martínez
Bayer boss Fernando Carro explained: “As Bayer 04, we have developed strongly nationally and internationally in recent years. Our goal remains to be permanently competitive at the highest level and to further consolidate our position among the leading clubs in Europe. We are convinced that Carles Martínez, with his convincing profile as a coach, fits this requirement very well. He embodies a modern type of coach who can develop our highly talented team, raise it to a consistently high level and grow it can lead to countable successes.”
Sporting director Simon Rolfes added: “We have looked intensively at the question of which coach is best suited to Bayer 04’s next development phase. Carles Martínez has successfully developed numerous young players in Toulouse and shaped an international team into a strong unit. In addition to these valuable experiences, he brings a high level of professional expertise from his time in the FC Barcelona youth academy to Leverkusen. Carles is a coach with clear principles and a modern game idea. We are convinced that he can provide the right impulses for our sporting future.” Werner Wenning, chairman of the shareholders’ committee of Bayer 04, expressed Leverkusen’s thanks to the outgoing Hjulmand: “Important accents were set by reaching the semi-finals of the DFB Cup and the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League, even if the sporting goals could not be fully achieved.”
This article first appeared on Transfermarkt at 11:53 a.m. and was updated after the official announcement.