Bayer Leverkusen have parted ways with manager Erik Ten Hag after just 62 days in charge, following a poor start to the Bundesliga season.
Ten Hag, appointed on July 1, 2025 as Xabi Alonso’s successor, oversaw only three competitive games — a comfortable DFB-Pokal win, a 2-1 league defeat to Hoffenheim, and a disappointing 3-3 draw against ten-man Werder Bremen, where Leverkusen surrendered a two-goal lead.
The Dutch coach faced a challenging summer as key stars including Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Jonathan Tah departed for big-money moves, leaving new signings struggling to adapt. Reports of internal unrest and on-field disputes further heightened pressure on the former Manchester United boss.
Leverkusen, who won the Bundesliga unbeaten last season under Alonso, were unwilling to compromise on early-season performance. The club confirmed that assistant coaches will take over on an interim basis while a new manager is sought.
Ten Hag’s dismissal makes him the third ex-Manchester United manager to lose his job recently, joining José Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjær in a turbulent week for former Old Trafford bosses.
