Bayer Leverkusen appoints Carles Martínez Novell as new head coach
Bayer Leverkusen has appointed Spanish coach Carles Martínez Novell, 42, as head coach, replacing Kasper Hjulmand after a sixth-place Bundesliga finish and failure to qualify for the Champions League. Martínez, formerly of Toulouse, signed a two-year contract until 2028. He is known for developing young players and previously worked in Barcelona’s youth academy. The club thanked Hjulmand for reaching the German Cup semi-finals and Champions League last 16.
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Carles Martínez Appointed New Bayer Leverkusen Coach
Bayer Leverkusen has announced the hiring of Catalan coach Carles Martínez Novell for the next two seasons. The 28-year-old coach, trained in Barcelona's La Masia academy, previously managed Toulouse in Ligue 1 for three seasons, where he established the team as a competitive, resilient side despite limited financial resources. Martínez led Toulouse to the French Cup final in his first season and narrowly missed another final this year, losing in the semifinals. Before Toulouse, he served as an assistant to Philippe Montanier and coached youth teams at Barcelona, Al Rayyan (Qatar), and Kuwait's U-20 national team. He was also considered by Spanish clubs Rayo Vallecano and Girona before choosing Leverkusen's Bundesliga offer.
Feed MRSS-S fc_barcelona_aUnusual Martínez confession: 'My wife says I can only coach!'
Carles Martínez Novell, the new coach of Bayer Leverkusen, is preparing for his competitive debut in the DFB Cup against SV Wehen Wiesbaden. The Spaniard has already changed his Instagram profile to reflect his new role and discussed squad planning with club bosses. Martínez expressed enthusiasm for the Bundesliga club, calling it an exceptional project with great development potential. In an unusual confession, he revealed that his wife María believes coaching is the only thing he can really do. Sports boss Simon Rolfes made initial contact with Martínez around Easter, after Bayer's dream candidate Andoni Iraola chose Liverpool. Martínez signed a two-year contract last Thursday and plans to bring assistant coach Pol García from Toulouse.
BILD - SportBILD Catches New Leverkusen Coach Carles Martínez Novell at Airport Shortly Before Midnight
Bayer Leverkusen's new head coach Carles Martínez Novell arrived in Germany late Thursday evening, landing at Cologne Airport at 11:17 PM on a flight from Barcelona. The 42-year-old Spaniard was greeted by Bayer's integration officer Carlos Sobarzo and recognized by a fan who requested a photo. Martínez finalized his two-year contract with Leverkusen bosses Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes in Spain before traveling. He replaces Kasper Hjulmand and brings experience from coaching stints in Qatar, Kuwait, and France, most recently at FC Toulouse where he managed 120 competitive matches with a record of 44 wins, 30 draws, and 46 defeats. His official presentation press conference is scheduled for Friday at 12 PM at the BayArena. Martínez faces a busy schedule ahead, including squad planning, summer preparation starting in mid-July, and pre-season friendlies against SF Baumberg, Kickers Offenbach, Carl-Zeiss Jena, and FC Sevilla.
BILD - SportBayer Leverkusen Appoints Unknown Coach Carles Martínez Novell
Bayer Leverkusen has officially announced the appointment of Spanish coach Carles Martínez Novell (42) as the new head coach, replacing Kasper Hjulmand. Martínez, who previously coached FC Toulouse, signed a contract until 2028. Sports director Simon Rolfes highlighted Martínez's success in developing young players at Toulouse and his background in the FC Barcelona youth academy. Club boss Fernando Carro emphasized the need for a modern coach to develop the talented squad and achieve consistent success. Hjulmand's departure comes a year before his contract expired, with the club thanking him for reaching the DFB Cup semi-finals and Champions League round of 16. Martínez will be officially presented on Friday.
BILD - SportBayer Leverkusen Appoints Carles Martínez Novell as Head Coach After Hjulmand Departure
Bayer Leverkusen has appointed Spanish coach Carles Martínez Novell as their new head coach, replacing Kasper Hjulmand after the club finished sixth in the Bundesliga and missed Champions League qualification. The 42-year-old Martínez Novell, who previously coached FC Toulouse in Ligue 1 for three seasons, signed a two-year contract. He led Toulouse to ninth place in the 2025/26 season and won the French Cup as an assistant coach in 2022/23. Leverkusen's managing director Simon Rolfes praised Martínez Novell's ability to develop young players and create strong team units. The Spaniard, who began his coaching career in Barcelona's youth system and worked in Qatar and Kuwait, will aim to return Leverkusen to the Champions League. The appointment came as a surprise, as other candidates like Filipe Luis, Andoni Iraola, and Oliver Glasner were previously linked to the position. Hjulmand had taken over from Erik ten Hag in September 2025 but failed to maintain early-season success.
Nachrichten - WELTBayer Leverkusen Appoints Unknown Spaniard Carles Martínez Novell as New Head Coach
Bayer Leverkusen has announced a surprise coaching change, appointing Spanish coach Carles Martínez Novell as the successor to Kasper Hjulmand. The decision comes after Leverkusen finished sixth in the Bundesliga and failed to qualify for the Champions League. Martínez Novell, 42, previously coached FC Toulouse in Ligue 1 for three seasons, leading them to ninth place in 2025/26. He won the French Cup with Toulouse as an assistant coach in 2022/23. The Spaniard, who has never been a professional footballer, began his career in the youth academies of FC Barcelona and Espanyol Barcelona. He signed a two-year contract with the 2024 German champions. Leverkusen's managing director Simon Rolfes praised Martínez Novell's ability to develop young players and build strong team units. The appointment was unexpected as other candidates like Filipe Luis, Andoni Iraola, and Oliver Glasner were previously linked to the position. Hjulmand, who replaced Erik ten Hag earlier in the season, is the second coaching experiment to fail at Leverkusen since Xabi Alonso's championship-winning 2024 season.
Nachrichten - WELTBayer Leverkusen Appoints Carles Martinez as New Coach, Replaces Kasper Hjulmand
Bayer 04 Leverkusen has announced the appointment of Carles Martinez as their new head coach, replacing Kasper Hjulmand. Martinez, a Catalan manager, joins the Bundesliga club from French side FC Toulouse and has signed a contract with the 'factory club' until 2028. The move marks a significant change in leadership for Leverkusen as they look to build for the future under Martinez's guidance.
kicker Bundesliga NewsBayer Leverkusen Appoints Carles Martinez as Head Coach, Replaces Kasper Jurmand
Bayer Leverkusen has officially appointed Carles Martinez Novell as their new head coach, replacing Kasper Jurmand who was dismissed after one season. The 42-year-old Spaniard, formerly of Ligue 1 side Toulouse, will take over on July 1, 2026, with a contract running until June 2028. Martinez led Toulouse to a ninth-place finish in Ligue 1 and is noted for his work developing young players and his experience in FC Barcelona's youth academy. Club chairman Werner Wenning thanked Jurmand for reaching the German Cup semi-finals and Champions League last 16, while CEO Fernando Carlo and sporting director Simon Rolfes praised Martinez's modern coaching philosophy and ability to maintain competitiveness at the highest level.
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