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Bundesliga Buzz: Oliver Glasner Emerges as Bayer Leverkusen’s Top Coaching Target
Priya Nambiar | May 21, 2026 6:37 AM CST

Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly eyeing Oliver Glasner (51) as their prime candidate to succeed under-pressure head coach Kasper Hjulmand (54), as per a report by Sport Bild.

The publication further claims that Glasner is the “preferred choice” of the club’s key sporting executives, Fernando Carro (61) and Simon Rolfes (44).

However, Leverkusen’s situation remains uncertain, with the club confirming that Glasner has not yet replied to their approach. The Austrian tactician is currently concentrating on Crystal Palace’s remaining fixtures — their final Premier League clash against champions Arsenal and the upcoming Conference League final versus Rayo Vallecano.

Though Hjulmand’s contract extends until 2027, Leverkusen’s disappointing campaign and failure to secure Champions League qualification have made his departure imminent once a successor is finalised.

Following the 1-1 draw with Hamburger SV on the final matchday of the Bundesliga, sporting director Simon Rolfes avoided direct questions about Hjulmand’s future, only reaffirming that the coach’s contract remains valid.

Meanwhile, Oliver Glasner’s contract with Crystal Palace is nearing its end.

The Austrian manager will be available in the summer, having already announced months ago that he would part ways with Palace at the conclusion of this season — coinciding with the expiry of his contract in London. Despite being linked to several major clubs since then, his options now appear to be narrowing.

At Chelsea, former Bayern Munich coach Xabi Alonso (44) is set to take over from next season, while English giants Manchester United seem to have regained stability under interim manager Michael Carrick (44), who is expected to continue in the role.

Glasner, a familiar figure in German football, previously managed VfL Wolfsburg between 2019 and 2021 before leading Eintracht Frankfurt for two seasons, where he famously guided the club to a Europa League triumph. His move to England brought further success, as he remarkably won both the FA Cup and the English Super Cup with Crystal Palace.

According to Sport Bild, Glasner could be the “guarantee of success” that Bayer AG chairman Werner Wenning (79) has been seeking to showcase following the club’s last two managerial appointments.


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