After months away from the sidelines, Erik ten Hag is back in the game — this time leading Bayer Leverkusen.
The Dutch coach, who was let go by Manchester United last October, has officially been confirmed as Leverkusen’s new manager following Xabi Alonso’s departure to Real Madrid.
A New Chapter After a Tough Season at Manchester United
Ten Hag’s spell at Manchester United ended after a difficult run, with the club sitting 14th in the Premier League and managing just four wins in their first 14 games.
Despite a one-year contract extension triggered by the club last summer, results on the pitch didn’t go the Reds’ way.
However, Ten Hag’s time at Old Trafford wasn’t without highlights.
He led the Red Devils to both the FA Cup and the League Cup, achievements that stand out given the challenges he faced during his tenure.
Leverkusen’s Ambitious Vision and Ten Hag’s Proven Track Record
Leverkusen’s sporting director, Simon Rolfes, expressed great confidence in the new appointment.
He praised Ten Hag’s impressive record, especially his incredible success at Ajax, where he won six titles between 2018 and 2022.
Rolfes emphasized that both the club and Ten Hag share a passion for technically skilled and dominant football, aiming high in the Bundesliga, DFB Cup, and Champions League.
Ten Hag echoed this ambition in his statement: “Bayer 04 is one of the best clubs in Germany and part of the European elite.
The conversations I’ve had convinced me that this is the right place to build something special during this phase of change.”
A Career Built on Success and Development
Before his Premier League stint, Ten Hag built a strong reputation in Europe.
After coaching Bayern Munich’s second team from 2015 to 2017 — during Pep Guardiola’s time leading the senior side — he went on to guide Utrecht and then Ajax, where he led the team to three consecutive Dutch league titles and a memorable Champions League semi-final run in 2019.
At Manchester United, Ten Hag achieved a 54.69% win rate across 128 games, marking the third-best win percentage for any manager who has overseen 100 or more matches at the club.
Following a Champion — Leverkusen Looks to Regain Bundesliga Glory
Ten Hag takes over from Xabi Alonso, who had a fantastic debut season by leading Leverkusen to the Bundesliga title unbeaten.
This season, however, the team has fallen short to Bayern Munich, who reclaimed the crown.
Now, the Dutch coach faces the exciting challenge of steering Leverkusen back to the top, continuing their legacy of attractive, attacking football, and aiming to compete at the highest levels in Germany and Europe.