Bayer Leverkusen appoints Martinez as new coach.

The German football club Bayer Leverkusen announced its separation from Kasper Hjulmand, the team's head coach, and the signing of Carles Martínez Novell.

The club stated that Martínez will receive a contract that extends for two years until 2028. The 42-year-old coach arrives from the French team Toulouse, where he did not extend his contract after spending three years there.

Leverkusen indicated that the official presentation of the coach will take place tomorrow, Friday.

Hjulmand's departure had been anticipated for weeks. The Danish coach took over Leverkusen from Erik ten Hag at the beginning of the season; however, the team finished the league in sixth place and failed to secure a spot in the Champions League.

Novell will be the next Spanish coach for the club. Xabi Alonso managed the team from 2022 to 2025, leading them to win the domestic double (league and cup) in 2024, without any losses for the first time in Bundesliga history.

Reports mentioned that Andoni Iraola was also among the candidates after his departure from Bournemouth; however, he is currently the leading candidate to take over Liverpool following Arne Slot.

Among the other names that were circulated was the former Crystal Palace coach Oliver Glasner; however, Bayer Leverkusen ultimately chose the less well-known coach Carles Martínez.

Martínez was born in Barcelona and worked in the academies of local clubs such as Barcelona and Espanyol. He also coached youth teams in Kuwait and Qatar before moving to Toulouse in 2022, where he started as an assistant coach and then took over as head coach in 2023.

Simon Rolfes, the sporting director of Bayer Leverkusen, stated that "Carles Martínez succeeded in developing many young players at Toulouse and was able to form a strong and cohesive international team."

Rolfes added: "He is a coach with clear principles and a modern approach to football, and we are convinced that he is capable of providing the right contribution to our sporting future."