Bayer Leverkusen are set to host Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 clash on Wednesday evening
10:02, 09 Mar 2026
Kasper Hjulmand
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Kasper Hjulmand is under growing pressure at Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen boss Kasper Hjulmand is under growing pressure to keep his job following a string of underwhelming results.
The Dane, who joined the German outfit in September following the quick-fire dismissal of former Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag, is looking to execute a Champions League shock against Premier League leaders Arsenal.
But his team surrendered a late lead on Saturday in a pulsating 3-3 draw at Freiburg meaning they've now dropped crucial points against a number of sides that are below them in the Bundesliga standings including Mainz, Union Berlin and Borussia Monchengladbach, respectively.
Sky Germany are reporting that doubts have now emerged over Hjulmand's long-term future and that an internal review will be conducted at the end of the season and Leverkusen are not ruling out another managerial change.
Hjulmand is likely to face questions over his position during Tuesday's press conference as his side prepare to welcome Arsenal to the BayArena.
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Keeping the Gunners at bay will undoubtedly be a difficult task as the Gunners remain in all four competitions as we head into the business end of the campaign.
Piero Hincapie is allowed to play against his parent club despite being on loan while Kai Havertz is also poised to feature against his former employers.
Leverkusen qualified for the last 16 via the play-offs after successfully battling past Greek giants Olympiacos 2-0 on aggregate.
But having won the Bundesliga two years ago, the Germans are now facing a fight to secure Champions League qualification for next season.
Still, CEO Fernando Carro believes they can challenge Bayern Munich for the title again in the near future.
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LEVERKUSEN Bayer 04 Leverkusen coach Kasper Hjulmand during the UEFA Champions League match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Olympiakos Piraeus at the BayArena on February 24, 2026, in Leverkusen, Germany. BART STOUTJESDIJK / ANP (Photo by ANP via Getty Images)
He said this weekend: "It hurts me that Bayern are dominating the league so much. Of course, they have three times our budget, but they've done a lot of good work over the years. Nevertheless, you have to try to give them a hard time. We managed to do that in 2024."
When asked if Leverkusen can win the league title again, he replied: "Yes, maybe in 2028 and 2029."
Arsenal come into the game off the back of their 2-1 FA Cup fifth-round win at Mansfield Town when Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze were both on scoresheet.
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They will host their German counterparts in the return fixture next week at the Emirates Stadium.
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