Rolfes insists Hjulmand will remain as Leverkusen head coach
Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes has publicly backed under-pressure head coach Kasper Hjulmand, insisting the Dane will remain in charge next season. Rolfes addressed the growing speculation around Hjulmand's future directly, telling Sky that the club's plan is for him to stay, citing his contract which runs until 2027. "Yes. He has a contract until 2027. There is no other decision," Rolfes said. "Even if everything in the media seems clear, it isn't. That's the situation."
The statement comes amid a challenging period for Leverkusen, who were eliminated from the DFB-Pokal semi-finals by Bayern Munich on Wednesday. That defeat has left the club's primary focus on securing a top-four finish in the Bundesliga to qualify for next season's Champions League, a key objective for the club. Leverkusen currently sit sixth in the table with four matches remaining, starting with a trip to local rivals Köln this weekend.
Rolfes emphasised the importance of the final stretch of the league campaign, shifting attention away from managerial rumours and onto the pitch. "The most important thing are the next four Bundesliga matches. I am firmly convinced that we have the opportunity to qualify for the Champions League if we win those games," he said. Hjulmand, who joined Leverkusen in 2023, has faced scrutiny during a season where the team's form has been inconsistent, leading to media reports linking the club with potential replacements.
The public vote of confidence from a key decision-maker like Rolfes is a significant move to stabilise the situation ahead of the crucial final matches. It aims to quell uncertainty within the squad and allow the team to concentrate fully on their on-field objectives. For Hjulmand, the backing provides a clear mandate to see out the season and continue his project into the next campaign, assuming the club achieves its Champions League goal.
Leverkusen's immediate future now hinges on their performance in these final games, with European qualification likely to be the final measure of this season's success. The club's hierarchy has clearly calculated that continuity, rather than a summer upheaval, is the best path forward as they look to build on the foundations laid under Hjulmand's leadership.
