Bayer Leverkusen have officially announced the appointment of Carles Martinez Novell as the club’s new head coach. The 42-year-old Spanish manager arrives after spending the 2025/26 season in charge of Toulouse, becoming the latest figure tasked with leading the Bundesliga side into a new era.

Martinez Novell has signed a contract that will keep him at the BayArena until June 30, 2028. He succeeds Kasper Hjulmand, who leaves the club after just one season at the helm.

Confirming the managerial change, Werner Wenning, Chairman of the Shareholders’ Committee at Bayer Leverkusen, paid tribute to the departing coach while expressing confidence in the club’s new appointment.

Bayer Leverkusen finished the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign in sixth place, a result that fell below expectations following the club’s recent rise among Germany’s elite.

¡Bienvenido, jefe! 👋

Carles Martinez Novell is our new head coach! ⚫🔴 pic.twitter.com/n94hv78jRf

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) June 4, 2026