Commitment to offensive football
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Bayer Leverkusen’s new head coach Carles Martínez introduced himself on Friday with a lot of energy, clear ideas and a commitment to offensive football. “The opponents should feel that Leverkusen is a big club,” said Kasper Hjulmand’s successor about the 2024 German champions.
His predecessor Hjulmand took over Leverkusen from Erik ten Hag last season after the second matchday, which turned out to be a misunderstanding for the Werkself. Due to recent stagnation in play and missing out on participating in the Champions League, he had to leave after around nine months. The Dane collected an average of 1.75 points in 48 games.
His successor Martínez represents an active and offensive approach in terms of sport. Leverkusen will act aggressively in the future, put pressure on the opponent and control the ball. “When you have the ball, you are better and you can create better,” emphasized the 42-year-old, who also attaches great importance to personal exchanges with his protégés: “I want every player to feel important.” Martínez, who most recently looked after the French first division club FC Toulouse for three years, is certain that this is the only way professionals can improve and exploit their potential.
However, what is important is not talking about goals, but rather the daily work. If you succeed in developing and motivating the players, winning games is the natural consequence. “I want to start straight away with the players, today, immediately – but we still have to wait and be patient,” said the new head coach, who is also following in the footsteps of master coach Xabi Alonso at the Rhinelander due to his nationality.
“I’ll call Xabi and I’m sure he’ll talk to me. I know him and know that he’s a good guy and only wants the best for Leverkusen. That’s what I would do if the new coach of Toulouse (Jens Berthel Askou, editor’s note) calls me. It would be a pleasure to help him.” Alonso will become Chelsea coach for the new season after leaving Real Madrid.
Bayer Leverkusen: summer preparation from July
The start of Leverkusen’s training is planned for mid-July. The first game with the new coach, who is bringing his long-time assistant Pol García with him, is scheduled for July 18th – a test against the upper division club SF Baumberg.