Bayer Leverkusen have sacked manager Erik ten Hag after a poor start to the Bundesliga campaign saw the Dutchman fail to win any of his first two league games in charge.
The 55-year-old, who previously managed Manchester United between 2022 and 2024, was appointed in the summer to replace Xabi Alonso, who departed for Real Madrid. Despite a convincing 4-0 victory over Sonnenhof Grobaspach in the DFB Pokal, Ten Hag’s Bundesliga run began with a 2-1 defeat to Hoffenheim on 23 August, followed by a dramatic 3-3 draw against Werder Bremen.
Leverkusen were leading against Bremen until conceding a 94th-minute equaliser, a result that ultimately sealed Ten Hag’s fate. According to reports from Kicker, the club’s board had grown concerned heading into the international break, and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed on X that the decision to part ways with the Dutchman was finalised on Sunday morning.
Ten Hag’s stint at Old Trafford saw him lift two trophies in consecutive seasons before leaving Manchester United in 2024 after a 2-1 loss to West Ham. The former Ajax boss had been tasked with maintaining Leverkusen’s competitive edge, but a winless league start left the club sitting 12th, prompting swift action from the board.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
Follow us on:
