Kasper Hjulmand - "Only Bayer Leverkusen was an option"

Bayer Leverkusen has appointed Kasper Hjulmand as coach. The Dane sees his new role as a major challenge, one he approaches with great confidence.

Relaxed and without tension, but full of energy: Kasper Hjulmand needed only a few moments to explain how excited he was about his new job. "I didn't expect to be sitting here, but I'm very happy," said the new Bayer Leverkusen coach at his presentation to media representatives on Wednesday.

Only two days ago it became official that Bayer had chosen the former Danish national coach (2020 to 2024) as the successor to the previously dismissed Erik ten Hag.

Debut on Friday against Frankfurt

Now things are moving at a rapid pace. Hjulmand's first big challenge is already on Friday: The runners-up, who have started the season poorly, host Eintracht Frankfurt on Matchday 3 at the BayArena (8:30 p.m.).

It was not foreseeable that the signing of the desired candidate would work out. Hjulmand had initiated a major national football project in his home country in recent months. The Danish Football Association intends to specifically develop talented players at ten academies.

Preferably as a coach on the pitch

Hjulmand was the brainchild of this project and would likely have continued working on it if the request hadn't come from Leverkusen. "Major business partners are also involved. If they had said, 'I'll stay,' I would have stayed," explained the 53-year-old. But he got the green light and was very grateful for it.

Here I can be myself

Kasper Hjulmand

"I'm a football coach with heart and soul and love being on the pitch," Hjulmand explained. To pursue this passion again, only Bayer Leverkusen came into consideration, he emphasized, and immediately explained his reasons. "I feel like I can be myself here. I don't have to explain how I see football. I don't have to explain how I want to work every day to bring my vision to the pitch—how we win, how we play, how we lead."

Rolfes: "Human values are important"

The connection between Hjulmand and Bayer Leverkusen dates back to before this time; a major role was played by Ismael Camenforte, the Spanish athletic trainer who worked simultaneously in Bayer's youth development program and for the Danish national team under Hjulmand.

Sporting director Simon Rolfes would have liked to present his preferred candidate at the start of the season, but it initially didn't work out due to the association's project. Rolfes also explained his choice with Hjulmand's human qualities: "These are values that are important to us."

Hjulmand: "Hopefully it will explode"

The chosen one has now asked for patience and ventured an optimistic look into the future. "It will be hard work, but the potential is great. We're trying to get this going. We don't know when, but hopefully it will suddenly explode."

The new man briefly reflected on his time at 1. FSV Mainz 05. He was dismissed there ten years ago after 24 matchdays. "I don't have to prove anything to myself. I love the Bundesliga ; it's fantastic," he said. He also learned a lot as a national coach. This will help him in his second role in Germany.

Our sources: