Bayer Leverkusen secured a 2-2 draw against Newcastle United in Wednesday’s Champions League Group F match, but the focus quickly shifted from the pitch to the sideline with the unexpected absence of head coach Kasper Hjulmand. The club cited “personal reasons” for Hjulmand’s last-minute unavailability,thrusting assistant coach Rogier Meijer into the role of matchday manager for the crucial contest. Details surrounding Hjulmand’s absence remain limited, though club officials indicate he is expected to return before Saturday’s Bundesliga derby against 1. FC Köln.
Bayer Leverkusen was held to a 2-2 draw against Newcastle United in Champions League play on Wednesday, but the bigger story coming out of the match was the unexpected absence of head coach Kasper Hjulmand.
“He traveled away on Tuesday evening. I’m sure he watched the game, and we wanted to win for him as well,” said Leverkusen captain Robert Andrich.
Rogier Meijer after the match against Newcastle in the press conference in Leverkusen
Meijer, who was brought to the club by former manager Erik ten Hag, took charge of his first competitive match for Bayer Leverkusen. He expressed his enjoyment of the experience, stating, “I enjoyed every second of the game. It was a very nice game to coach and to watch.”
Last Contact with Hjulmand Was Wednesday Morning
When did Meijer learn he would be leading the team against Newcastle?
“We received a message on Tuesday evening that it would be difficult for Kasper to be here,” Meijer revealed.
Hjulmand had overseen the final training session on Tuesday and also participated in the pre-match press conference.
Head coach Kasper Hjulmand (53) during Leverkusen’s final training session on Tuesday
The tactical plan for the match had already been discussed within the coaching staff on Tuesday. “We had already discussed the game plan with the coaching team on Tuesday,” Meijer added.
When was the last time Meijer spoke with Hjulmand?
According to Meijer, the last communication occurred on the day of the game. “We spoke again in the morning,” he said. The team then met at the stadium to review the plan. “We met at the club and discussed the plan again. We had no contact with Kasper before or during the game – he trusted us, he trusted the players. And that’s how we ended the evening,” explained Meijer, who also stated he hadn’t spoken with Hjulmand immediately after the final whistle.
Meijer announced in the post-match press conference that “the plan is for Kasper to be back on Thursday or Friday and on the sidelines again on Saturday.” Bayer Leverkusen will face local rivals 1. FC Köln in a Rhine derby at the BayArena in Bundesliga action.
