Former Bayer Leverkusen coach Kasper Hjulmand has taken a new managerial position in South Africa. The 54-year-old Dane will take charge of Premier Soccer League side Mamelodi Sundowns.
Hjulmand was in charge at Bayer Leverkusen for a few months during the 2024/25 season before being dismissed. He has been without a club since. His new employer, Mamelodi Sundowns, is one of South Africa's most successful clubs and recently won the league title. An official presentation is expected in the coming days.
The move to Africa represents a completely new challenge for Kasper Hjulmand. After his dismissal from Leverkusen, he did not receive offers from Europe's top leagues. The role at Sundowns offers him a chance to restart his career in a competitive league and lead an ambitious club.
Sundowns are seeking a coach with international experience to cement their domestic dominance and make a stronger impact in African competitions. Hjulmand's brief stint in the Bundesliga, though short, has shaped his profile.
Kasper Hjulmand's tenure at Bayer Leverkusen lasted only from July to November 2024. The team showed inconsistent performances under his leadership. The club's hierarchy decided to make a change following a series of disappointing results.
His successor established a more successful path. The current season has started with mixed results for Leverkusen. After two matchdays, the club sits in seventh place in the Bundesliga with three points. The team has scored six goals but has also conceded three.
The league table shows Leverkusen is three points behind leaders FC Augsburg.
While Hjulmand makes a fresh start in South Africa, Bayer Leverkusen is fully focused on the ongoing season. The next match is a direct clash at the top of the table. On September 12, 2026, Leverkusen travels to face current leaders FC Augsburg.
This fixture is significant for the early table dynamics.
The squad must face this challenge while dealing with several injury absences. Currently, players Guéla Doué, Kennet Eichhorn, Montrell Culbreath, and Nathan Tella are sidelined. The latest injuries status is updated regularly.
The remaining players need to cover the gaps in the coming weeks. The recent form shows a win-loss pattern from the first two games. To stay in the title race consistently, more stability is required. The coming weeks will show if the team can find it, starting with the away game in Augsburg on September 12.
