Bayer Leverkusen has dismissed head coach Erik ten Hag after only two Bundesliga games, sources confirmed today. The decision was formalized by the club hierarchy this morning, with the 55-year-old manager informed shortly thereafter.
Ten Hag began his spell at Leverkusen on July 1, succeeding Xabi Alonso, who left to manage Real Madrid. Stanislas records indicate that he is now the first Bundesliga coach to be relieved of his duties so early into a season.
His brief reign included a 2–1 home defeat to Hoffenheim, followed by a 3–3 draw against Werder Bremen, where Leverkusen threw away a two-goal lead despite playing with a man advantage. These underwhelming performances compounded pressure on Ten Hag.
While the team began with a 4–0 DFB-Pokal win, Leverkusen’s elite front office quickly concluded that building a new team under his system “was not feasible,” citing misalignment in direction and strategy.
Simon Rolfes, sporting director, acknowledged the severity of the move: “This decision was not easy for us… but past weeks have shown that this setup is not viable.” CEO Fernando Carro reinforced this, adding that the parting was painful yet necessary for the club’s season aspirations.
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Ten Hag’s departure comes amid a turbulent transfer window that saw the exits of key figures like Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka, Jonathan Tah, and Jeremie Frimpong, despite significant reinforcements arriving.
Training has reverted to the coaching staff on an interim basis while Leverkusen’s board considers potential replacements, including high-profile names like José Mourinho, Julian Nagelsmann, and even successor Xabi Alonso.
Ten Hag’s short stay in Germany mirrors a recent trend: within days, former Manchester United managers—such as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and José Mourinho—were dismissed in Turkey, underscoring an unforgiving climate for coaches across Europe.
