Bayer Leverkusen appears to be on the verge of a surprising change in its coaching staff. Following the gradual winding down of Kasper Hjulmand’s tenure, Filipe Luis is rumored to be the leading candidate to take over the Bundesliga club.
This report comes from Sky, indicating that negotiations between club officials and the 40-year-old Atletico Madrid legend have officially commenced and are progressing rapidly.
Luis, who most recently coached Flamengo Rio de Janeiro, the reigning Copa Libertadores champions, until early March, is the top target for the club’s sporting management. While Leverkusen’s top brass has backup options B and C in mind should negotiations falter, all signs currently point towards a Brazilian appointment.
The timing of this potential move aligns with a strategic plan: Bayer’s executives intend to officially announce Hjulmand’s departure only once the new head coach has signed a contract.
Filipe Luis: An Atletico Madrid Icon
The Danish coach had initially taken the reins in Leverkusen after Erik ten Hag’s abrupt exit, which occurred after just the second match of the previous season. Hjulmand subsequently signed a long-term contract until 2027 but ultimately failed to consistently meet high expectations, with Bayer missing out on Champions League qualification.
With Luis, Leverkusen would bring significant international experience and the prestige of the top football stages to the sidelines. As a player, the winger was world-class for many years, featuring in an impressive 333 official matches for Atletico and representing the Brazilian national team 44 times. After concluding his playing career on January 1, 2024, with traditional Brazilian club Flamengo, he made a remarkably swift transition into coaching.
Leverkusen’s Coaching Search: Luis, Glasner, or Iraola?
In September 2024, he took charge of Flamengo’s senior squad and achieved immediate success. Luis not only guided the club to the Brazilian championship but also capped off his sensational debut with a triumph in the Copa Libertadores, South America’s equivalent of the Champions League. His subsequent release from the star-studded Rio club in March of this year came as a surprise.
It has long been considered highly probable within Bayer that they would not begin the new season with Hjulmand as coach. Rumors regarding the appointments of Oliver Glasner or Andoni Iraola have been circulating recently. Glasner is reportedly the preferred choice of sporting director Rolfes.
However, the Austrian is highly ambitious – perhaps too ambitious for Leverkusen? «For me, the project is the deciding factor. Is it possible to win the Champions League? Is there that possibility? That’s something I find exciting. I’m looking for a challenge. I’m looking for something exciting,» Glasner stated to RTL/ntv.
English Translation and Paraphrasing:
Atletico Legend Filipe Luis Reportedly Targeted by Bundesliga Club
Bayer Leverkusen is reportedly on the brink of a significant coaching change, with Atletico Madrid legend Filipe Luis emerging as a strong candidate to replace Kasper Hjulmand. According to reports from Sky, negotiations are actively underway between the club’s leadership and the 40-year-old former player.
Luis, who recently left his coaching role at Flamengo Rio de Janeiro, the current Copa Libertadores holders, is considered the top choice for Leverkusen’s sporting department. While contingency plans are in place with other candidates, the focus is firmly on securing a Brazilian appointment.
The timing of this potential managerial switch is strategic, with Bayer’s management planning to officially announce Hjulmand’s departure only after the new coach has finalized his contract.
Filipe Luis: A Storied Career at Atletico Madrid
Hjulmand had initially taken over in Leverkusen following Erik ten Hag’s swift dismissal early in the previous season. Despite signing a long-term deal until 2027, Hjulmand was unable to consistently meet the club’s high expectations, and Bayer failed to qualify for the Champions League.
Appointing Luis would bring a wealth of international experience and high-level football pedigree to Leverkusen’s dugout. As a player, the accomplished winger was a global star, playing 333 official games for Atletico Madrid and earning 44 caps for the Brazilian national team. After retiring as a player on January 1, 2024, with Flamengo, he transitioned into coaching with remarkable early success.
Leverkusen’s Coaching Options: Luis, Glasner, or Iraola?
Luis led Flamengo to the Brazilian championship and the Copa Libertadores title in his debut season after taking over the senior team in September 2024. His unexpected dismissal from the Rio club in March of this year has opened the door for this potential move.
It has been widely anticipated that Bayer would not continue with Hjulmand for the upcoming season, with rumors previously linking Oliver Glasner and Andoni Iraola to the role. Glasner is reportedly the preferred candidate of sporting director Rolfes.
However, Glasner has expressed his ambition for projects where winning the Champions League is a genuine possibility, suggesting he might be looking for an even greater challenge than Leverkusen can currently offer, as he told RTL/ntv.