Bayer Leverkusen head coach Kasper Hjulmand has called for patience as the club continues its rebuilding process following a turbulent start to the Bundesliga season.
Leverkusen, who claimed the domestic double in 2024 under former boss Xabi Alonso, have struggled to replicate that form this season. The departure of Alonso, along with key players such as Florian Wirtz, Jonathan Tah, Granit Xhaka and Jeremie Frimpong, has left the team in transition.
Currently 11th in the league with five points from four matches, Leverkusen trail leaders Bayern Munich by seven points and sit two points behind fifth-placed St Pauli, who they face on Saturday.
“It is a process. We need time and we need matches and they are coming,” said Hjulmand at a press conference on Friday.
Hjulmand, appointed on September 8 following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag after just two games, has managed a win and a draw in his first two league matches in charge.
“We are very optimistic and I think we have a great team. We can build an outstanding team but we are still building it up. A lot of new players, new coaches, that’s how it is. But in every game we have to get results.”
Despite their inconsistency, Leverkusen have extended their Bundesliga record of consecutive away games unbeaten to 35, spanning more than two seasons. However, the team is still adjusting under its second manager of the campaign.
“We are in a good process,” said Hjulmand. “Every single day we train, we play games… it gets better and better. A lot of new players, a lot of new positions for some players. They have to get to know each other.”
“I think we have a lot of good minutes in the games but we can do better,” he added.
Leverkusen will return to European action next Wednesday when they face PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.
