Leverkusen, Germany – In a move that has stunned the football world, Bayer Leverkusen have sensationally sacked manager Erik ten Hag after just two Bundesliga games in charge. The decision was confirmed by the club on Monday, bringing an abrupt and brutal end to the Dutchman's tenure, which began with high expectations just over three months ago.
Ten Hag, the former Manchester United and Ajax coach, was appointed in late May to fill the formidable shoes of Xabi Alonso, who had departed for Real Madrid after leading Leverkusen to a historic unbeaten domestic double in the 2023-2024 season. The club tasked Ten Hag with navigating a challenging transition period following the summer sale of several key players, including stars like Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Granit Xhaka.
However, the club's patience ran out almost immediately after a disastrous start to the league campaign that yielded just one point from a possible six.
A Disastrous Start Seals His Fate
While Ten Hag's tenure began with a comfortable 4-0 victory over fourth-tier side Sonnenhof Grossaspach in the first round of the DFB-Pokal (German Cup), the Bundesliga season proved to be a different story.
The alarm bells started ringing in the opening league fixture, where Leverkusen slumped to a 2-1 defeat at home against Hoffenheim. The pressure intensified dramatically this past Saturday in a chaotic match against Werder Bremen. Despite leading 3-1 and playing against a 10-man opposition for the final half-hour, Leverkusen collapsed defensively, conceding two late goals to draw 3-3. This calamitous result proved to be the final straw for the club's hierarchy.
In an official statement, Bayer Leverkusen's sporting director, Simon Rolfes, addressed the difficult decision. "This decision was not an easy one for us. Nobody wanted to take this step," Rolfes stated. "However, the past few weeks have shown that building a new and successful team with this set-up is not feasible."
CEO Fernando Carro echoed the sentiment, describing the move as "painful, but we felt it was necessary." The club announced that the current backroom staff would oversee training on an interim basis while the search for a successor begins immediately.
Ten Hag Responds with "Complete Surprise"
Reacting to his dismissal, Erik ten Hag released a furious statement expressing his shock and disappointment.
"The decision by Bayer Leverkusen's management this morning to put me on a leave of absence came as a complete surprise," Ten Hag said. "To part ways with a coach after just two league matches is unprecedented. This summer, many key players who were part of past successes left the squad. Building a new, cohesive team is a careful process that requires both time and trust."
The Dutch coach also hinted at a fractured relationship with the board from the outset. "I feel this was never a relationship based on mutual trust," his statement continued. "Unfortunately, the management was not willing to grant me the time and trust I needed, which I deeply regret."
The sacking marks another significant blow to Ten Hag's reputation, coming less than a year after his dismissal from Manchester United in October 2024. For Bayer Leverkusen, it is a dramatic reset as they scramble to salvage a season that has already veered wildly off course.
