Erik ten Hag endured a difficult Bundesliga debut as Bayer Leverkusen slipped to a 2-1 home defeat against Hoffenheim on Saturday.
The former Manchester United manager, who succeeded Xabi Alonso in the summer after a major squad overhaul, saw his new side take the lead early through Jarell Quansah’s sixth-minute header from an Álex Grimaldo free kick.
But Hoffenheim, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, hit back when Fisnik Asllani punished a defensive lapse from Quansah midway through the first half. Tim Lemperle then completed the turnaround in the 52nd minute, firing low into the corner to seal a surprise win for the visitors.
Leverkusen, beaten just three times in the league over the past two seasons, failed to find a response, underlining the scale of the rebuild Ten Hag faces.
Elsewhere, Eintracht Frankfurt made light work of life without departed striker Hugo Ekitike, thrashing Werder Bremen 4-1. Jean-Matteo Bahoya struck twice before half-time, while Can Uzun and Ansgar Knauff were also on target for the hosts. Justin Njinmah grabbed a consolation for Bremen.
German Cup holders Stuttgart were edged 2-1 by Union Berlin, with debutant Ilyas Ansah scoring a first-half brace. Stuttgart hit the woodwork twice and had a stoppage-time equaliser from Nick Woltemade ruled out for offside.
In other results, Augsburg won 3-1 away at Freiburg, while Wolfsburg secured a 3-1 victory at Heidenheim.
On Friday, champions Bayern Munich laid down an early marker with a 6-0 demolition of RB Leipzig, Harry Kane netting a second-half hat trick. Later on Saturday, Borussia Dortmund open their campaign with a tricky trip to newly promoted St. Pauli.
