LEVERKUSEN, Germany (AP) — Bayer Leverkusen fired Kasper Hjulmand on Thursday after less than one year in charge and hired former Toulouse coach Carles Martínez Novell as his replacement.
It continues Leverkusen's turbulent ride since the departure of Bundesliga-winning coach Xabi Alonso at the end of the 2024-25 season.
Erik ten Hag was appointed to replace Alonso but was in charge for just three games before losing his job.
Hjulmand, the former Denmark coach, took over in September but could only lead Leverkusen to a sixth-place finish in the Bundesliga. The team was eliminated from the Champions League by eventual runner-up Arsenal in the round of 16.
Martínez Novell, who will start the job on July 1, has signed a two-year deal. He led Toulouse to a ninth-place finish in the French league last season.
“Our goal remains to be competitive at the highest level and to further consolidate our position among the leading clubs in Europe,” Leverkusen chief executive Fernando Carro said.
Carro added of Martinez Novell: "He embodies a modern type of coach who can develop our highly talented team, raise it to a consistently high level and lead it to tangible success.”
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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