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When long time manager Jason Hopton announced last season he would be looking for a new challenge, the search for a new gaffer commenced. The close season began with several managers switching clubs in FFO as well as a handful of returning managers. The Red and Black took note and conducted their own internal process, kept secret from the news outlets. After much discussion, a name surfaced that was not on their initial list because they did not know this manager would be available.
After Schalke failed to pull off a miracle and succumbed to relegation, manager Chris Spero was given permission to pursue opportunities to remain in EFL 1. Further narrowing his preferences, Spero made clear to the Schalke board that he would only be interested in remaining with a German club and if the opportunity did not materialize, he would be focused on pushing for promotion at Schalke.
In fact the only job Spero was interested in was at Bayer Leverkusen. The current crop of players in the squad looked like a good fit for his style of play. Of course as is the case with many incoming managers, Spero wanted to bring in some of his own players to help implement his plans and create a new culture. In a fortunate turn of events, Angel Di Maria was made available. A player who Spero worked with early on in his career was felt to be a great fit. Spero approached the board and was granted the funds to complete the transfer. Immediately after signing Di Maria was given the captain's armband and so begins a new chapter in the history of Bayer Leverkusen.
After Schalke failed to pull off a miracle and succumbed to relegation, manager Chris Spero was given permission to pursue opportunities to remain in EFL 1. Further narrowing his preferences, Spero made clear to the Schalke board that he would only be interested in remaining with a German club and if the opportunity did not materialize, he would be focused on pushing for promotion at Schalke.
In fact the only job Spero was interested in was at Bayer Leverkusen. The current crop of players in the squad looked like a good fit for his style of play. Of course as is the case with many incoming managers, Spero wanted to bring in some of his own players to help implement his plans and create a new culture. In a fortunate turn of events, Angel Di Maria was made available. A player who Spero worked with early on in his career was felt to be a great fit. Spero approached the board and was granted the funds to complete the transfer. Immediately after signing Di Maria was given the captain's armband and so begins a new chapter in the history of Bayer Leverkusen.