Bayer Leverkusen Sack Erik ten Hag After Disappointing Start To Bundesliga Season.
Bayer Leverkusen have parted ways with head coach Erik ten Hag just three months into his tenure, following a dismal start to the 2025-26 Bundesliga season. The decision, confirmed by the club’s hierarchy on Monday morning, 1 September 2025, comes after the Dutchman oversaw only three competitive matches, with the team failing to secure a league victory.
Ten Hag, appointed in May to succeed Xabi Alonso, who departed for Real Madrid after guiding Leverkusen to an unbeaten domestic double in 2023-24, faced an uphill battle from the outset. The club underwent a significant squad overhaul, losing key players such as Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong to Liverpool, Granit Xhaka to Sunderland, and Lukas Hradecky to Monaco. Despite a convincing 4-0 win over fourth-tier Sonnenhof Grossaspach in the DFB-Pokal, Leverkusen’s Bundesliga campaign began with a 2-1 home defeat to Hoffenheim, followed by a 3-3 draw against ten-man Werder Bremen, where they squandered a two-goal lead with a 94th-minute equaliser.
The club’s managing director, Simon Rolfes, stated, “This decision was not an easy one for us. Nobody wanted to take this step. However, the past few weeks have shown that building a new and successful team with this set-up is not feasible.” Reports suggest internal unrest, including disagreements between Ten Hag and his players, as well as friction with assistant coaches, contributed to the swift decision. Leverkusen’s captain, Robert Andrich, publicly criticised the team’s lack of unity, hinting at deeper issues within the squad.
Ten Hag, 55, who previously managed Manchester United until his sacking in October 2024, faced intense scrutiny after a turbulent pre-season, including a 5-1 loss to Flamengo’s under-20s. His appointment was seen as a bold move to maintain Leverkusen’s competitive edge, but the loss of key talent and failure to adapt his coaching style to the squad’s needs led to mounting criticism. German outlet Kicker reported that the club’s hierarchy withheld public support for Ten Hag following the Bremen draw, with Bild noting that his departure was “probably” imminent.
The sacking marks a rare low for Ten Hag, who led Manchester United to the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024 but struggled to replicate that success in Germany. Leverkusen, currently languishing in the bottom half of the Bundesliga, have entrusted the assistant coaching staff with interim duties while they search for a permanent replacement ahead of their next fixture against Eintracht Frankfurt on 12 September.
Fans and analysts alike are reeling from the abrupt end to Ten Hag’s reign, with many questioning the club’s decision to act so swiftly. As Leverkusen look to stabilise their campaign, the focus now shifts to finding a manager capable of restoring the club’s fortunes and building on Alonso’s remarkable legacy.
