Bayer Leverkusen: Will Hjulmand Revive the German Giant?

Bayer Leverkusen: From stability to radical change

Just 16 months ago, Bayer Leverkusen celebrated a historic and undefeated season, with an ecstatic fanbase at the BayArena. The team seemed a model of stability, health, and continuity. With Xabi Alonso at the helm, Die Werkself seemed destined to maintain their high performance. Sporting director Simon Rolfes and director of football Kim Falkenberg seemed to have everything under control. However, a major “Umbruch” (radical change) was looming. Now, as Leverkusen prepares to face Eintracht Frankfurt, it’s difficult to relate to that feeling of calm and confidence. The team is unrecognizable compared to the one that won the Meisterschale and was on the verge of conquering the Europa League. The dream of renaming a street in honor of Xabi Alonso seems distant. Leverkusen is a team in search of its identity after a massive change, with 17 players out and 21 new ones. The dismissal of coach Erik ten Hag, just two games after the season started, might seem hasty. Rolfes and CEO Fernando Carro acknowledged that they made a mistake in believing that the coach fit the club’s philosophy. In Germany, the coach’s adaptation to the club’s philosophy, style, and personality is crucial. The players themselves did not support Ten Hag, and the warning signs went off even before, such as in the defeat against Flamengo’s U-20 team on the tour of Brazil. The friendly defeat against Chelsea by 2-0 was another worrying sign.

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In Ten Hag’s first two official matches, the team showed a worrying performance. The DFB-Pokal match against Sonnenhof Grossaspach anticipated what was to come for Die Werkself. Despite the 4-0 score, Leverkusen struggled and only secured the victory at the end, when their rival was left with nine players. Patrik Schick even had to make a clearance on the goal line.

In the first Bundesliga match against Hoffenheim, Leverkusen was flat and without ideas. Hoffenheim’s 2-1 victory was deserved. The beginning of a promising new era was not in sight.

Following the departure of several key players, Leverkusen must forge a new identity if they want to return to the top of the Bundesliga.Losing the backbone of a successful team is always a challenge. The departures of Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka, Jeremie Frimpong, Jonathan Tah, and Lukas Hradecky affected the team’s morale. The 3-3 draw against Werder Bremen accelerated the decision to dismiss Ten Hag on September 1st. Carro and Rolfes always considered possible successors, even with Alonso as coach. The choice of Kasper Hjulmand as the new coach was a surprise, but it makes sense. Hjulmand has demonstrated his ability to grow, although he had difficulties with Mainz. His work with the Danish national team in the European Championship was notable, showing tactically intelligent play. Hjulmand offers a pragmatic solution after the failure of Ten Hag and Alonso’s football. Flexibility is the new watchword. By keeping assistant Rogier Meijer and promoting Sergi Runge, Hjulmand has shown maturity and humility. The new Leverkusen has potential, but it will take time. It will be difficult to predict a victory against Eintracht Frankfurt, who have also lost important players. Leverkusen’s summer of changes promises to be painful, but Hjulmand could be the right man to alleviate the headaches and forge a new identity for the club.