Sports
Bayer Leverkusen Appoint Kasper Hjulmand As New Coach After Ten Hag’s Exit
Bayer Leverkusen on Monday confirmed the appointment of Danish tactician Kasper Hjulmand as their new head coach, bringing an end to a turbulent start to their Bundesliga campaign.
The 53-year-old has signed a deal that will keep him at the BayArena until 2027.
Speaking after his unveiling, Hjulmand said he was eager to begin the challenge.
“It is an honour to be entrusted with such a team,” he stated. “I’m motivated to shape the future of the club.”
SEE ALSO: Bayer Leverkusen Sack Erik ten Hag After Three Games
The announcement follows the dramatic dismissal of Erik ten Hag, who was relieved of his duties on September 1 after just two league matches in charge.
The Dutchman, formerly of Manchester United, had succeeded Xabi Alonso the man who guided Leverkusen to their first-ever Bundesliga crown and a domestic double last season before leaving for Real Madrid.
Sporting director Simon Rolfes admitted that hiring Ten Hag had been a miscalculation.
“Continuing with him would have been an even bigger mistake,” Rolfes said, acknowledging the club’s error.
Ten Hag, however, expressed his disappointment, describing the decision as “unprecedented” and “a complete surprise.”
Hjulmand, who stepped down as Denmark’s national coach in July 2024, emerged as the club’s preferred choice ahead of contenders such as Xavi, Ange Postecoglou, and Raul.
He is best remembered for leading Denmark to the semi-finals of Euro 2020, where they narrowly lost to England, and for taking the team to the round of 16 at Euro 2024 before bowing out to hosts Germany.
Rolfes added that Hjulmand is expected to introduce a strong identity to the squad.
The director said the new boss would “set up a clear and dominant style of play with our team” and “strive for the most ambitious national and international goals.”
The Danish manager previously won the Superliga title with Nordsjaelland in 2012 and had a short-lived spell in the Bundesliga with Mainz in 2014-15.
Hjulmand will make his debut on the sidelines this Friday when Leverkusen face Eintracht Frankfurt, before preparing for their Champions League opener away to Danish champions Copenhagen.
Spain’s celebrations after winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup were overshadowed by tragedy after a 13-year-old boy died and several others were injured when a fountain collapsed during jubilant scenes in the western Spanish town of Ciudad Rodrigo.
The heartbreaking incident occurred shortly after Spain secured a historic 1-0 victory over Argentina in the World Cup final, ending a 16-year wait for the country’s second global football title.
RELATED NEWS: BREAKING: Spain Dethrone Argentina to Win 2026 FIFA World Cup
According to local authorities, emergency services received multiple distress calls at around 12:30 a.m. local time after a fountain packed with celebrating fans suddenly collapsed.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Ciudad Rodrigo City Hall confirmed the teenager’s death and expressed condolences to the victim’s family.
“The city hall of Ciudad Rodrigo expresses its sadness and presents its condolences for the death of a boy of 13.”
The municipality described the incident as a devastating turn of events, saying: “What should have been a celebration of Spain’s team in the football World Cup turned into tragedy.”
Emergency services also confirmed that another youth was injured in the collapse, while several others sustained injuries as rescue teams rushed to the scene.
Local media reported that the fountain gave way under the weight of dozens of fans who had climbed onto the structure to celebrate Spain’s World Cup triumph.
The fatal accident cast a somber mood over celebrations across the football-loving nation, with many expressing grief just hours after Spain’s memorable victory on the world stage.
Spain have been crowned 2026 FIFA World Cup champions after defeating defending champions Argentina in a thrilling final to reclaim football’s biggest prize.
La Roja delivered a composed and determined performance on the grandest stage, overcoming the South American giants to secure their second FIFA World Cup title and their first since their historic triumph in 2010.
The highly anticipated showdown lived up to expectations as both teams battled fiercely for global supremacy.
SEE ALSO: BREAKING: England Crush France 6-4 to Clinch World Cup Bronze
However, Spain’s tactical discipline, attacking quality, and defensive resilience proved decisive as they ended Argentina’s reign as world champions.
Spain’s road to glory included impressive victories over some of the tournament’s strongest sides, underlining their dominance throughout the competition.
The triumph also marks the culmination of a remarkable resurgence led by a talented new generation of stars, who have restored Spain to the pinnacle of world football.
For Argentina, the defeat ends their hopes of retaining the World Cup crown, despite another spirited campaign that saw them reach a second consecutive final.
Spain’s victory cements their place among football’s elite once again, bringing the 2026 FIFA World Cup to a memorable conclusion.
England ended their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign on a high after defeating France 6-4 in a pulsating third-place playoff at Miami Stadium on Saturday to secure the bronze medal.
Thomas Tuchel’s men produced an electric attacking display, storming into a commanding four-goal lead before France launched a spirited comeback.
SEE ALSO: FIFA Makes Historic Change as World Cup Winners to Receive Championship Rings
Declan Rice opened the scoring early, while Ezri Konsa doubled England’s advantage. Bukayo Saka then stole the show with a first-half brace as the Three Lions headed into the break with complete control of the contest.
France responded strongly after halftime, with captain Kylian Mbappé leading the charge by scoring twice.
Bradley Barcola also found the net to reduce the deficit and briefly raise hopes of an unlikely comeback for Les Bleus.
However, England had the final say as Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time to seal a thrilling 5-3 victory and confirm England’s third-place finish at the tournament.
The victory marked a fitting response to England’s heartbreaking semi-final defeat to Argentina and secured the nation’s best World Cup finish since 1966.
France, meanwhile, ended the tournament in fourth place after suffering back-to-back defeats in the knockout stage.
Attention now shifts to Sunday’s World Cup final, where Spain will battle defending champions Argentina for football’s biggest prize.
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