Kicker reports that Kasper Hjulmand is set to become the new Bayer Leverkusen head coach, replacing Erik ten Hag.

Last week, the Dutchman was sacked as die Werkself’s head coach following a poor start to the season, and a host of internal issues as well. 

Several names were linked to the vacant job, including former Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou and ex-RB Leipzig head coach Marco Rose. Now, Leverkusen have found ten Hag’s replacement. 

Leverkusen are said to have reached an agreement in principle with Hjulmand over becoming their new head coach. His first game in charge will be against Eintracht Frankfurt at the BayArena on Friday. The Dane’s last job was coaching the Danish national team, where he led them to the Euros semi-finals in 2021 and the round of 16 and last year’s addition, where they lost to Germany in Dortmund. 

Most of Hjulmand’s experience has been within his native Denmark, but he does have Bundesliga experience, having spent a year as Mainz’s head coach. 

Is Kasper Hjulmand the right man for Bayer Leverkusen?

This move for some, will prove to be underwhelming, especially when it comes to the other names who are currently available, such as Postecoglou and Thiago Motta. 

Hjulmand brings great man-management skills, something that was clearly lacking under ten Hag. However, when it comes to potentially leading Leverkusen up the table and playing a style of football similar to that of Xabi Alonso, the likes of Postecoglou could have raised the ceiling of the club once again and developed them into a title challenger. 

However, Hjulmand’s time with Denmark has shown he can overachieve, and the bar at Leverkusen he is inheriting is currently low.