Erik ten Hag’s brief stint in Germany has come to an unexpected halt.
The former Manchester United manager has been sacked by Bayer Leverkusen after just three matches in charge, bringing an end to a tenure that lasted only 62 days.
The Dutch coach was appointed in May to replace Xabi Alonso, who departed for Real Madrid, but his start in the Bundesliga has been rocky.
In his opening two league games, Leverkusen managed just one point, leaving fans and the club frustrated.
Rocky Start for Leverkusen
Leverkusen’s opening weekend defeat at home to Hoffenheim set the tone for a turbulent start.
Despite taking an early lead through ex-Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah, they lost 2-1, a result that shocked supporters after a promising 4-0 DFB-Pokal victory over fourth-tier side SG.
The struggles continued in their next league outing.
A 3-1 lead against 10-man Werder Bremen on Saturday slipped away, resulting in a 3-3 draw and leaving the team stuck in the bottom half of the table.
Ten Hag Speaks Out on the Challenges
After the disappointing draw, Ten Hag shared his thoughts on the squad’s struggles with Sky Sports: “The players aren’t ready.
We have a new team, and some of the players aren’t fit enough to play.
The team didn’t function at all during the final stage of the game.
That’s just the way it is. They need to bring more intensity and get fitter to meet my standards.”
The Dutchman faced the additional challenge of a summer exodus, with key players like Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Jonathan Tah, and Granit Xhaka among more than half a dozen stars leaving the club.
Pre-Season Troubles
Ten Hag’s reign at Leverkusen began on shaky ground. His first pre-season game ended in a 5-1 defeat to Flamengo’s under-20 side.
Although the team recovered somewhat by winning three of the next four pre-season matches, including a DFB-Pokal thrashing of SG, another loss to Chelsea hinted at deeper issues within the squad.
A Manager in Transition
Ten Hag arrived at Leverkusen in May after a seven-month break following his dismissal from Manchester United.
His exit from Old Trafford came in October last year, months into the Premier League season, with United sitting 14th after just four wins in 14 matches—despite the club triggering a one-year contract extension the previous summer.
The Dutchman’s German adventure may have been brief, but it highlighted the challenges of taking over a reshaped squad and adapting quickly in a high-pressure environment.
