by Oliver Trust

BERLIN, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- A vigorous sign of life triggered a wave of euphoria around the arena in Leverkusen.

Following a rough start to the season, a change of coaches, and an almost completely rebuilt team, the 2024 German champion Bayer celebrated an important 3-1 win against the current powerhouse of the German league, Eintracht Frankfurt.

At the center of attention is the club's newly appointed manager, former Danish national coach Kasper Hjulmand.

55 hours after his first training session, the 53-year-old proved his reputation as a people magnet.

Resilience, passion, and effectiveness - the 2012 Danish champion highlighted what seemed to have been lost after Spanish star coach Xabi Alonso left for Real Madrid this summer.

Ahead of a series of mid-week games in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League campaign, Hjulmand set a written-off side and its fans on fire.

Following the only two-month-long era of Erik ten Hag, the Dane's concept of a flat team hierarchy paid off.

"For me, leadership is a team sport," he said. For the team's benefit, the coach is demanding everyone's responsibility and involvement.

"Together we create a strong collective. My team has several team captains," he said after Frankfurt suffered its first defeat after three straight wins.

In Hjulmand's perspective, the leading players, his players' board, equipped with experienced players, guide the younger ones and back each other.

"Today, Robert Andrich was our captain, but next time it can be Alejandro Grimaldo," he outlined.

The Leverkusen coach said he is too old to "think about what other people think. I approach things with trust and a clear concept."

"Leadership is no one-man show," he said, noting that his players' board is made up of captains and vice-captains at eye level.

While he, as the head coach, remains the boss, being strict and honest, "everyone takes his share of responsibility to create a strong community."

Striker Patrik Schick reported that the team received "simple instructions, nothing complicated," and followed the coach's guidelines.

The joyful jump of sporting director Simon Rolfes after the final whistle seems a symbol of relief for a club that appears to have vanished doubts that had mounted up over the past weeks.

"We feel a strong connection and understanding with our new coach," Rolfes said, adding that the victory can only be a starting point as further challenges lie ahead.

The struggling 2024 German Cup winner feels at a crossroads but has regained confidence to move forward.

Hjulmand said players supported each other after the yellow-red card ban for Andrich, while German media discussed the "Hygge-effect," introduced by the new coach. Hygge in Denmark represents warmth and friendliness. ■