Leverkusen hunt second place before winter break in turnaround under Hjulmand

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Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Bayer Leverkusen v FC Cologne - BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany - December 13, 2025 Bayer Leverkusen coach Kasper Hjulmand applauds fans before the match REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen

BERLIN, Dec 18 - When Kasper Hjulmand took over as Bayer Leverkusen coach after two Bundesliga matches this season, few would have predicted his team could have a shot at second place by the end of the year with a win ‍over ​hosts RB Leipzig on Saturday.

Former Denmark coach Hjulmand took over in September ‍after Dutchman Erik ten Hags brief stint that lasted only two league matches and a handful of pre-season friendlies.

Hjulmand was with his ​back to ​the wall, having to quickly deal with the aftermath of a major squad overhaul, and assemble a battle-worthy squad for domestic and European competitions despite a mass exodus of key players, including Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong ‍and Granit Xhaka.

With fans having enjoyed success under former coach Xabi Alonso, including an undefeated German league and Cup ​double in 2024 and a Bundesliga runners-up spot ⁠last season, Hjulmand was under instant pressure to deliver.

He succeeded in fast-tracking the integration of more than half a dozen new players, with Leverkusen continuing with its exciting brand of attacking football.

Since taking over in September, his team have quietly climbed up the table and ​are now on 26 points in fourth place, three behind second-placed Leipzig.

A win by two goals or more could move them into second ‌place ahead