Kasper Hjulmand, New Leverkusen Coach Antithesis to Ten Hag

LEVERKUSEN, MONDAY — Bayer Leverkusen has officially appointed Kasper Hjulmand as the successor to the dismissed coach Erik ten Hag, who was let go after just two matches. With a leadership style that contrasts sharply with that of Ten Hag, Hjulmand brings both optimism and a sense of trauma.

Hjulmand was announced as the new coach of Leverkusen on Monday (8/9/2025) evening WIB. The former coach of the Denmark national football team has been contracted until June 2027. "After the club's past successes, I am motivated by the task of shaping the future of Leverkusen," he stated, as quoted by the official Leverkusen website.

The decision made by the top officials of Leverkusen is quite surprising. They chose Hjulmand, who last coached a club in 2019 and has also been unemployed for over a year. In fact, there are many experienced coaches available at this time, including Ange Postecoglou and Xavi Hernandez.

The explanation from Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro makes that decision reasonable. For him, Hjulmand not only possesses a solid understanding of football but can also serve as a unifying figure during the transition period. "The team will benefit from Kasper's transparent, communicative, and empathetic style," he stated.

Various coaching styles were not possessed by Ten Hag, which became the reason for the coach's dismissal. He was deemed unable to establish good communication with both the club and the players. Known for his "iron fist" approach, he seemed to walk alone amid Bayer Leverkusen's difficult times after Xabi Alonso's departure.

Ten Hag had previously stated that the club would not release veteran midfielder Granit Xhaka this summer. They have already lost many key players. However, according to BBC Sport, the club has reportedly agreed to let Xhaka go if a suitable offer is made.

The Dutch coach also criticized his players in the media for their lack of fitness at the start of the season. He displayed the outspoken nature that had caused problems at Manchester United. Similar problems recurred, and Ten Hag lost the respect of the Leverkusen players.

That coaching style is in stark contrast to Hjulmand, who is known for being friendly and relaxed. He prioritizes the human aspect over football. The 53-year-old coach has always maintained a very close relationship with the players, including during his four years managing Denmark.

Hjulmand faced the greatest test at the beginning of the Euro 2020. At that time, his player Christian Eriksen collapsed on the field due to a heart attack during the opening match against Finland. The other players were engulfed in sadness and struggled to refocus on football.

However, Hjulmand managed to turn that unfortunate incident into a source of motivation for his team. He spoke heart-to-heart with the players and shared in their sorrow. This approach made the team even more solid. Denmark was able to rise and successfully advanced far into the semifinals.

"What makes you a unique coach is that you see the human being first. You saved us from the storm (during the Eriksen incident) and gave us the feeling that we would be okay," said Denmark team captain, Simon Kjaer, to Hjulmand after the European Championship.

On the other hand, this relaxed approach also brings back the trauma from the coach's experience. Hjulmand once coached a German league team in 2014, namely Mainz 05. That story ended tragically. He was dismissed after only 24 matches, about seven months after being recruited.

Hjulmand was dismissed after winning only once in 13 matches, leaving Mainz just one point above the relegation zone. The Mainz management decided that Hjulmand was not the right person to lead the club out of the crisis. The coach was deemed too calm and lacking in solutions amidst the ongoing problems.

At that time, like Leverkusen, Mainz was also undergoing a transitional moment. They had just lost coach Thomas Tuchel, who had brought success over five years. Hjulmand was burdened with very high expectations from both the club and the fans.

In Leverkusen, Hjulmand's task becomes increasingly challenging as he must inherit a team from Ten Hag that is still far from perfect. Leverkusen lost many key players during the summer, including Xhaka and Florian Wirtz. They brought in a dozen new players who still require adaptation.

Hjulmand is a former football player who was forced to retire at the age of 26. He began his coaching career at a very young age, serving as the coach of the youth team of Lyngby BK since 1998. His career began to soar after he moved to a first division club in Denmark in 2008.

From assistant coach, Hjulmand rose to the position of head coach in just three years. His greatest achievement in club career was leading Nordsjaelland to their first Danish League title in 2012. The coach ended the dominance of the giant team Copenhagen.

In the national team, Hjulmand reached the pinnacle of achievement during the Euro 2020. He led his country back to the semifinals of a major tournament for the first time since 1992. Hjulmand was supposed to take office after the conclusion of the Euro, but the tournament was postponed for a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. (AP/REUTERS)