Soccer-Spain's Novell replaces Hjulmand as Bayer Leverkusen coach


FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Toulouse v RC Lens - Stade de Toulouse, Toulouse, France - January 2, 2026 Toulouse coach Carles Martinez Novell before the match REUTERS/Manon Cruz/File Photo

June 4 (Reuters) - Bayer ⁠Leverkusen have appointed Spaniard Carles ⁠Martinez Novell as their new manager on ‌a two-year deal after sacking Kasper Hjulmand, the Bundesliga club announced on Thursday.

The former Toulouse coach, ​who is set to ⁠leave the French ⁠club after three years at the end of ⁠the ‌month, takes over from Hjulmand, who leaves Leverkusen after one ⁠season in charge.

"Bayer 04 Leverkusen has ​appointed Carles ‌Martinez Novell as their new head ⁠coach," the ​club said in a statement.

"He will take over ... on July 1, 2026, and signed ⁠a contract valid until ​June 30, 2028. In Leverkusen, Martinez, whose contract in Toulouse expires at the end of ⁠the month, succeeds Kasper Hjulmand, who is leaving the club after one season."

In his first senior coaching job, the ​42-year-old Martinez has led ⁠Toulouse to three successive mid-table finishes in ​the French top flight.

Leverkusen ‌finished sixth in the Bundesliga ​last season.

(Reporting by Paras J. Haji in BengaluruEditing by Toby Davis)

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