A pre-match shake-up took place at the BayArena as the home manager did not turn up
19:05, 10 Dec 2025Updated 19:06, 10 Dec 2025
(Image: Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Ima)
Newcastle United’s clash with Bayer Leverkusen was handed a pre-match bombshell as the home side announced their head coach would not be facing Eddie Howe in the dugout.
The Bundesliga side explained that Kasper Hjulmand would not be in the dugout for the Champions League clash at the BayArena.
And instead he will be replaced by his assistant, arguably handing Newcastle a slight advantage in what is already a tough game.
A statement from Leverkusen read: “For personal reasons, our head coach Kasper Hjulmand will not be on the sidelines.
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“Assistant coach Roger Meijer will take over. His return to the coaching bench is scheduled for the derby next weekend.”
Danish coach Hjulmand had taken over from ex-Man United boss Erik ten Hag in a surprising turn of events in September 2025.
Hjulmand was appointed head coach of Bayer Leverkusen, replacing Ten Hag, who was sacked after a turbulent three games in charge of the Bundesliga club.
Ten Hag’s brief tenure at the reigning German champions, who had replaced Xabi Alonso, was marred by player disharmony and poor results, including a 3-3 draw where players argued over a penalty.
Hjulmand, who had just resigned as Denmark’s national team coach after Euro 2024, now faces the task of stabilising a talented Leverkusen side.
Known for his “transparent, communicative and empathetic style,” Hjulmand is highly regarded for leading Denmark to the Euro 2020 semi-finals.
While his previous Bundesliga stint with Mainz was short-lived, his national team success makes him a compelling, if unexpected, choice to follow both Alonso’s glory and Ten Hag’s abrupt failure at Leverkusen.
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