New chance for former PSV player in Germany?: New coach for Bayer 04 Leverkusen
1 min readLast summer, Malik Tillman was sold by PSV to Bayer 04 Leverkusen for 35 million euros. In recent months, coach Kasper Hjulmand increasingly put Tillman on the bench each time, and the American had to make do with short substitute appearances.
Because of this, the former PSV player, who—just like Ricardo Pepi and Sergino Dest—is preparing for the 2026 World Cup with Team USA, has expressed a wish to leave. That Werkself demand a sum of at least 35 million euros.
Perhaps Tillman stands for a new chance in Leverkusen since the club management has appointed a new coach. The 42-year-old Carles Martínez will in fact be the new coach of Die Werkself.
With that news, reporter Florian Plettenberg from Sky Sports Deutschland is bringing it out. The Spaniard is therefore the successor to Hjulmand, who earlier this season replaced Erik ten Hag after just two matches.
Under the Danish coach, Leverkusen this season played PSV in the Champions League and in the Bundesliga they reached sixth place, meaning the club will be active in the Europa League next season. In the DFB-Pokal, Tillman & Co. were eliminated in the semi-finals by the eventual winners, FC Bayern Munich.
Despite this, the club management of Die Werkself decided not to continue with the Danish coach and therefore to look for a replacement. And they have now found one, with Martínez.
Comments5
Idk... Tillman had bij PSV meer vrijheid, daar voelt hij zich gevaarlijker. Hjulmand zette hem blijkbaar steeds meer aan de kant, maar een nieuwe trainer is ook meteen een risico voor zijn ritme. Als hij weer korte invalbeurten krijgt, zakt die waarde van 35m snel.
Man, 35 miljoen voor Tillman en dan toch steeds op de bank bij Hjulmand. Als Carles Martínez hem nu weer basis geeft, kan dat echt een nieuw hoofdstuk worden. Alleen denk ik wel dat Leverkusen hem onder druk wil verkopen, dus verwachtingen gaan hoog blijven. 🔥
tbh i hope this doesnt turn into another "he was the gem at PSV" story where he instantly looks different in germany 😂 What's the plan now, will Martínez give him minutes or still bench him?
If this is true, a new coach could finally unlock Tillman again. Hjulmand didn't trust him much, so 35m valuation still feels fair.
If Martinez gives Tillman more trust, i actually think he can be more than just a sub. 35m is pretty fair, but i hope PSV didnt get baited and he proves the value in Germany. ⚽