Bayer Leverkusen appoint Carles Martínez Novell as new head coach
Bayer Leverkusen have confirmed the appointment of Carles Martínez Novell as their new head coach on a two-year deal through to June 2028, with Kasper Hjulmand leaving the club after nine months in charge.
Martínez will replace Hjulmand from 1 July after Leverkusen narrowly missed out on UEFA Champions League qualification at the end of 2025/26.
The 42-year-old is fresh off a notable three-year stint at Toulouse, where he became known for a fluid style of play and youth-centric approach, having developed as a coach at Barcelona's prestigious La Masia youth academy between 2015 and 2020.
Speaking on the Spaniard's appointment, Leverkusen's managing director for sport Simon Rolfes said: "We carefully considered which coach would be the best fit for Bayer 04's next phase of development. At Toulouse, Carles Martínez successfully developed numerous young players and shaped an internationally diverse squad into a strong and cohesive team."
Martínez oversaw 120 competitive matches after being appointed by Toulouse in June 2023, and can boast European pedigree having guided the French side past the group stage of the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League - a campaign in which they claimed a memorable 3-2 victory over English giants Liverpool.
"In addition to that valuable experience, he brings considerable technical expertise from his time at the youth academy of FC Barcelona to Leverkusen. Carles is a coach with clear principles and a modern football philosophy. We are convinced that he can provide the right impetus for our sporting future," Rolfes added.
In taking the reins at Die Werkself, Martínez will become the fourth Spanish national to coach in the Bundesliga after Pep Guardiola (Bayern Munich, 2013–16), Leverkusen double-winner Xabi Alonso (2022–25) and Albert Riera (Eintracht Frankfurt, February–May 2026).
Martínez inherits a Leverkusen team that finished sixth in the Bundesliga last season, qualifying for the 2026/27 Europa League. He is the Rhineland outfit's third head coach since Alonso left the club in May 2025.
Erik ten Hag was in charge for just three competitive matches at the start of 2025/26 before being replaced in September by Hjulmand, who won 24 of his 48 games in all competitions (D12, L12).
Leverkusen begin the 2026/27 campaign in the DFB Cup first round (21-24 August). The new Bundesliga season kicks off the following weekend.
