Bayer Leverkusen has announced the appointment of Danish coach Kasper Hjulmand as the new head coach of the first team, succeeding Dutchman Erik ten Hag, with a contract that extends until June 30, 2027.

Hjulmand, 53, returns to the Bundesliga after previously managing Mainz during the 2014/2015 season, while his last experience was as the coach of the Danish national team, where he achieved notable success by reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2021, before being eliminated in the Round of 16 at Euro 2024 against Germany, leading him to resign after four years in charge.

Simon Rolfes, the club's sporting director, said: "We are very pleased to sign with Kasper Hjulmand, whose work we have closely followed for years. His coaching methods are well-known within the club thanks to his former assistant, who worked with us alongside his role with the Danish national team. We see in Kasper the ideal coach to bring the team back to competing at the highest levels both domestically and in Europe."

Kasper Hjulmand expressed his great happiness at coaching Leverkusen, saying: "I have always seen Bayer Leverkusen as an organized and ambitious club, and this impression has been confirmed to me even more in the past few days. I am extremely excited to work with this team and to shape a bright future for the club, both with experienced players and rising talents."