After almost a season, Kasper Hjulmand is already over at Bayer Leverkusen and the Spaniard Carles Martínez Novell is taking over the management of the team. At least the Dane is being handsomely compensated for his sudden end.
As “Bild” reports, Kasper Hjulmand will receive a severance payment of around two million euros from Bayer Leverkusen. The 54-year-old’s contract would actually have been valid until 2027.
Kasper Hjulmand took over the team after the completely botched start to the season under Erik ten Hag, with whom Bayer parted ways after just three competitive games. The Dutchman now works as technical director at Twente Enschede.
Under his successor Hjulmand, the Leverkusen team was able to stabilize at times with five wins from the first six games, and he also reached the round of 16 of the Champions League with the Werkself. There it was over against the eventual finalists FC Arsenal. In the 32 Bundesliga games, Bayer ultimately showed a changeable face.
Due to the defeat against VfB Stuttgart (1:3) on the penultimate matchday and the draw (1:1) against HSV on the last matchday, Bayer Leverkusen missed qualification for the Champions League. As sixth place in the table, we will only continue in the Europa League next season.
Change of coach at Bayer Leverkusen
There had been speculation for a long time about Hjulmand’s early retirement. According to “Bild”, he was told as part of the season analysis on May 18th that the bosses around sports director Simon Rolfes were already looking for a successor.
Last Thursday, the Rhinelanders officially announced that the Spaniard Carles Martínez Novell would take over the management of the team. He signs for two years. Martínez Novell had previously coached FC Toulouse in France.
“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,” said Rolfes when making the announcement.