Erik Ten Hag’s new chapter in management at Bayer Leverkusen has hit turbulence almost immediately.
Just two matches into the 2025–26 Bundesliga season, the Dutch coach is already confronting doubts about his impact.
The trouble began with a 2‑1 defeat to Hoffenheim in his league debut, a result that has sparked questions after his high-profile arrival following his exit from Manchester United.
From High Hopes to Early Setbacks
Leverkusen officially appointed Ten Hag only three months ago, replacing Xabi Alonso with a contract running through 2027.
The announcement came with plenty of optimism, given his successful stints in the Netherlands and experience in English football.
However, pre-season offered an early warning.
A shocking 5‑1 loss to Flamengo’s Under-20 side set a concerning tone, reminding everyone that the squad needed serious work.
While that result could have been dismissed as a minor setback, it lingered as a talking point.
Mixed Signals in Competitive Matches
Ten Hag’s first competitive game brought some relief as Leverkusen thrashed lower-league Sonnenhof Großaspach 4‑0 in the DFB-Pokal.
But even that win came with caveats. The Dutchman himself admitted there was much to improve as he works through a significant squad overhaul.
Then came the Bundesliga curtain-raiser at the BayArena against Hoffenheim, where problems became more apparent.
Jarell Quansah scored early for Leverkusen, but Hoffenheim hit back with Fisnik Asllani equalising and then assisting Tim Lemperle’s winner in the 52nd minute.
Ten Hag Acknowledges Work Ahead
Speaking after the defeat, Ten Hag was candid about the challenges ahead. “Clearly, I’m disappointed,” he said.
“It was a game of few chances and Hoffenheim were more effective. We did not get into the final third often enough.
We have a lot of work ahead of us, which is not unexpected.”
Meanwhile, rivals Bayern Munich began the season with a 6‑0 demolition of RB Leipzig, further highlighting the gap between Leverkusen’s aspirations and current reality.
Focus Turns to Werder Bremen
With early results underwhelming, Ten Hag’s next test comes on Saturday at Werder Bremen.
Fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see if the Dutchman can stabilize the squad and start translating his reputation into results in Germany.
