Report: Bayer Leverkusen spring a surprise with a major coaching change

Carles Martinez Toulouse 2026

Bayer Leverkusen has reportedly found its new head coach, and the appointment comes as a surprise: the chosen candidate had not been widely speculated about in recent days.

Transfer expert Matteo Moretto reports that Spaniard Carles Martinez is set to become the new manager of the Werkself.

His appointment comes as something of a surprise, since he had not been mentioned as a candidate in Leverkusen. The 42-year-old is still a relatively unknown quantity. For the past three years, Martinez has been working in Ligue 1 with FC Toulouse, his first role as head coach. Martinez's contract expired at the end of June, so he is available.

Born in Barcelona, he began his coaching career in La Masia, overseeing Espanyol's youth setup before moving to Barça, where he guided the Blaugrana U16 side from 2018 to 2019. Stints in Qatar and Kuwait followed, then a move to Toulouse as assistant manager in late 2022, and he was promoted to head coach six months later.

Under his command, the club finished 11th, 10th and 9th in the past three campaigns.

Iraola

Bayer Leverkusen's search for a new head coach has hit a rough patch.

Bayer Leverkusen has been hunting for a new first-team manager for several weeks. Despite holding a contract until 2027, current boss Kasper Hjulmand (54) will make way after the club missed out on Champions League qualification. The search has hit snags for directors Fernando Caro (61) and Simon Rolfes (44).

Their top target was Andoni Iraola (43), who has just left AFC Bournemouth after three successful seasons. However, Liverpool's decision to sack Arne Slot at the weekend suddenly made Iraola the Reds' preferred candidate. Reports now suggest that an agreement has been reached, with an official announcement expected in the next few days.

That pursuit also saw former Atlético defender Filipe Luis, who had been linked with Leverkusen, choose AS Monaco instead. Monaco's interest in Luis ultimately stalled because he lacks the UEFA Pro Licence; without a dispensation, the club would face a €25,000 fine per match for him to stand on the touchline.

Oliver Glasner (51, recently departed from Crystal Palace) is said to prefer talks with AC Milan over a Bundesliga return, while former Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa reportedly offered his services to Leverkusen but did not convince the club's hierarchy. Michel (50) will instead move from Girona to Ajax Amsterdam.

Filling the coaching position is a "deal-breaker" for target player Kennet Eichhorn.

Carro and Rolfes are under pressure to act, as their original plan was to unveil the new head coach for the coming season before the end of this week. They remain on track to meet that deadline.

The hunt for a new boss is also being driven by Bayer's pursuit of Hertha BSC wonderkid Kennet Eichhorn, a 16-year-old coveted by several clubs. According to kicker, Bayer still has "good chances" of landing the teenager, but those prospects are slipping while the coaching role remains open. The uncertainty is a "deal-breaker": Eichhorn will not commit to a club that has yet to name its future head coach.