Bayer Leverkusen have wasted no time in moving on from Erik ten Hag, who was dismissed after just two Bundesliga games, appointing Kasper Hjulmand as head coach. The Dane faces an immediate test on Friday when Leverkusen meet Eintracht Frankfurt, one of the early title contenders.
Fresh chapter after chaos
Ten Hag’s short-lived spell unravelled quickly, with reports of players ignoring instructions and disagreements on the pitch. Leverkusen’s management turned to Hjulmand, who has been out of club football for over a decade, to steady the squad filled with new signings. His first major assignment after Frankfurt will be a return to the Champions League, marking his first appearance in Europe’s top competition in 13 years.
Bayern unsettled, rivals watch closely
Elsewhere in the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich are also under the spotlight after club patriarch Uli Hoeness questioned the temperament of board member for sport Max Eberl, fuelling speculation over internal rifts. Bayern meet newly promoted Hamburg on Saturday, a game that looks less like a contest and more like damage control for the visitors.
Other key fixtures
Three clubs — Bayern, Frankfurt and surprise package Cologne — remain unbeaten after two rounds. Cologne will attempt to extend their streak away at Wolfsburg, who may hand a debut to new signing Christian Eriksen. In other matches, Mainz host Leipzig with Germany international Nadiem Amiri in the spotlight, while striker Victor Boniface begins a loan spell at Werder Bremen against Borussia Monchengladbach.
With turbulence both on and off the pitch, the Bundesliga enters the weekend full of intrigue, and all eyes will be on how quickly Hjulmand can put Leverkusen back on track.
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