Bayer Leverkusen Sack Erik Ten Hag After Just Two Bundesliga Matches

Erik ten Hag has been dismissed by Bayer Leverkusen after lasting just two Bundesliga matches in charge.

The Dutch coach, who had only recently left Manchester United, was appointed as Xabi Alonso’s successor ahead of the new season. But his spell in Germany has ended almost as quickly as it began.

Leverkusen picked up only one point from their opening two league fixtures, losing to Hoffenheim on the first weekend before surrendering a two-goal advantage in a 3-3 draw with ten-man Werder Bremen.

Despite a first-round German Cup win, Ten Hag’s pre-season struggles and sluggish start in the league convinced the board to act swiftly.

In a statement on Monday, the club announced: “Bayer 04 Leverkusen have parted ways with head coach Erik ten Hag.

This was decided by the shareholders’ committee, the club’s supervisory body, on the recommendation of the management of Bayer 04. Training will be overseen by the current backroom staff on an interim basis.”

Simon Rolfes, Leverkusen’s managing director of sport, admitted the decision was painful but necessary.

“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 setup is not feasible.

“We firmly believe in the quality of our team and will now do everything we can to take the next steps in our development with a new setup,” he said.

Leverkusen’s poor start was compounded by the loss of several key players over the summer, including Jeremie Frimpong, Granit Xhaka, and Florian Wirtz, leaving the squad depleted despite the large transfer fees received.

Ten Hag himself acknowledged after the Bremen draw that his players were unprepared and not fit enough to meet his standards.

“The players aren’t ready. We have a new team and some of the players aren’t at all fit enough to play,” he told Sky.

“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 in order to meet my standards.”

Erik ten Hag’s blunt post-match comments, combined with the team’s collapse, appeared to seal his fate.

The setback adds to a difficult period for the former Ajax boss, whose Manchester United reign ended under heavy scrutiny.

Although he lifted the FA Cup in 2024, he was sacked the following October after poor results and a disappointing transfer record, having spent more than £600 million on players who largely failed to deliver.

Now, just weeks into his new job, Ten Hag finds himself out of work again as Leverkusen search for yet another manager following Alonso’s high-profile departure to Real Madrid.

KanyiDaily recalls that Jose Mourinho was also sacked by Fenerbahce just over a year after taking charge of the Turkish side.