Erik Ten Hag's Report Card Is Red Again, Fired By Leverkusen Even Though He Has Only Worked Three Matches
Bayer Leverkusen has sacked head coach Erik ten Hag after just three games.
Ten Hag replaced Xabi Alonso as head coach at the end of May 2025 and signed a two-year contract. However, the Dutch coach's tenure in Leverkusen was only briefly after the poor start of the 2025/2026 season.
Leverkusen lost in the opening match of the 2025/2026 Bundesliga against TSG Hoffenheim at home and then drew 3-3 against Werder Bremen on weekends.
They only won the DFB Pokal First Round match against fourth division club SG Sonnenhof, but since the match on August 15, 2025, the former Manchester United manager's tenure has been bleak at Bundesliga 2023/2024 champions.
The decision was made by the club's shareholder committee and on the recommendation of Bayer Leverkusen management.
This summer was a volatile summer in Leverkusen with several stars taking them to the Bundesliga title two seasons ago leaving the club.
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Ten Hag took over as coach when the club released Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, Amine Adli, Odilon Kossounou, Granit Xhaka, Lukas Hradecky, and Jonathan Tah.
In response, Leverkusen spent about 170 million euros rebuilding the squad by signing Malik Tillman, Jarell Quansah, Eliesse Ben Segihir, Loic Bade, Ibrahim Maza, Mark Flekken, and Ernest Poku.
"This decision is not easy for us. Nobody wants to take this step. However, the last few weeks have shown that building a successful new team with this formation is not possible."
"We are very confident in the quality of our team. Now, we will do everything we can to take the next step in our development with a new formation," said Simon happeneds, Bayer Leverkusen Sports Managing Director.
The dismissal made Ten Hag's coaching career report card red again. After leaving Ajax Amsterdam and coaching Manchester United (2022-2024), his journey in the coaching chair was very difficult.
He was expelled by The Red Devils before mid-season 2024/2025, October 2024 to be exact, and was replaced by Ruben Amorim.
Since leaving Old Trafford, Ten Hag has been unemployed until the middle of this year.
Once again, Ten Hag immediately led the team which in recent seasons has always been a competitor in the race for the Bundesliga title.
He replaced Alonso who joined Real Madrid this summer. Alonso led Bayer Leverkusen to win the Bundesliga 2023/2024 title and become runner-up for the 2024/2025 season.
Alonso played attacking football which made him successful. Not surprisingly, Bayer Leverkusen officials see Ten Hag's conservative style as not suitable for the players so it must be completed early cooperation.
"The separation at the early stages of the season is painful, but we feel it is necessary. We remain committed to achieving our goals this season."
"For that, we need the best conditions at all levels and at all major teams. Now, it's just a matter of how to implement and take full advantage of this condition," said Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro.
The club officials are increasingly convinced to beat Ten Hag after seeing the match against Werder Bremen last weekend.
They lost a two-goal lead and captain Robert Andrich looked very frustrated.
"Everyone plays for themselves, everyone runs on the pitch alone. We have too many players busy with other things or just thinking about themselves."
"I don't know if I've experienced it at Bayer Leverkusen. The poor end phase (of the draw) is a symbol of our current situation. It has nothing to do with riots, player transfers, or any legal process," Andrich said after the match.