Article by Aurelian Botezatu – Published on Thursday, 04 June 2026, 14:42 / Updated on Thursday, 04 June 2026 14:42
Bayer Leverkusen decided to part with Kasper Hjulmand (54 years old), whose place on the bench will be taken by the Spanish technician Carles Martínez Novell (42 years old).
The “pharmacists” reacted after the modest season that ended in 6th place in the Bundesliga. According to tabloid Bild, the former champion of Germany (2024) clapped hands with Carles Martínez Novell (42), a technician born in Barcelona, who last season finished 9th in Ligue 1 with FC Toulouse.
Novell is expected to sign for two seasons and replace Kasper Hjulmand, even if the latter's deal with the “pharmacists” expires in 2027. It was already quite clear at the end of the season, 3 weeks ago, that the Dane would not be kept.
Kasper Hjulmand is paying for missing out on the Champions League
Hjulmand took over Bayer in September 2025 after Erik ten Hag (56) was sacked. Under his leadership, the team initially regained their balance after the difficult weeks of their debut and spent the winter break in 3rd place.
In addition, the team reached the round of 16 of the Champions League and the semi-finals of the German Cup. But then, in the second half of the season, there was a decline. In the ranking of the return, Bayer ranked eighth, and in the general one in the 6th position, thus missing a return to the Champions League.
Bayer Leverkusen had been rejected by 4 coaches
Internally, it was apparently clear from mid-March that Hjulmand no longer had a long-term future at the club. In recent weeks, Bayer Leverkusen have considered several alternatives.
Andoni Iraolawho is expected to leave Bournemouth for Liverpool, was among the candidates, as were Oliver Glasnerwhose goal after leaving Crystal Palace is not a return to the Bundesliga.
Philip Luisassociated with AS Monaco, and Michaelclose to a transfer from Girona to Ajax Amsterdam, they turned down Leverkusen. Now, Novell is expected to put the red-blacks back on the podium.
