Bayer Leverkusen decided to change course without looking back. The board didn’t even wait for the season to settle before firing Erik ten Hag after just two Bundesliga games. The Dutchman himself, when leaving, left behind a phrase that summed it all up: “there was never mutual trust.” And when a relationship starts without trust, the ending is inevitable. Choosing Kasper Hjulmand through 2027 shows urgency, ambition, and at the same time, a fair share of risk.
A dismissal that exposes the board
Letting go of a coach this early isn’t a sign of planning, but of a mistake in the very first decision. Leverkusen hired ten Hag and dropped the project in less than a month. Even if the intention wasn’t to, it sends instability, breeds mistrust, and gives the market the impression of a club that doesn’t really know what it wants.
Did ten Hag live under the shadow of his time at Manchester United? Quite possibly. Leverkusen chose to cut ties early rather than stick with something that already seemed doomed. The problem is that this cut creates another issue: the risk of making the wrong choice again.
The challenge for Hjulmand
Hjulmand arrives with a reputation as a coach who can organize teams. He did excellent work with Denmark’s national side, leading them to the Euro 2020 semifinals and qualifying for the 2022 World Cup. But when it comes to club soccer, his experience is thin. His only stint in the Bundesliga, with Mainz in 2014-15, was short and forgettable. Now he comes back more mature, with the chance to prove he can handle the grind of a top-level club.
The board is betting the Dane can give Leverkusen a clear style of play, competitive enough to challenge Bayern and Dortmund, something Xabi Alonso managed to do. It’s a nice speech, but also a dangerous one, because it sets expectations sky-high right away. Hjulmand spoke of honor, motivation, and shaping the future with experienced players and promising youngsters. That all sounds fine on paper, but reality starts on September 12 against Eintracht Frankfurt. The fans expect the first win, and excuses won’t be accepted.