Bayer Leverkusen have dismissed head coach Erik ten Hag after just three games, following a disastrous start that included dropping a 3-1 lead to draw 3-3 with ten-man Werder Bremen on Saturday.
The former Manchester United manager signed a two-year contract this summer after replacing Xabi Alonso, who left to become Real Madrid\'s new head coach. Ten Hag\'s brief tenure included a DFB Pokal win and two disappointing Bundesliga results.
Leverkusen opened the league season with a 2-1 home defeat to Hoffenheim before Saturday\'s collapse against Bremen. The team surrendered a two-goal advantage despite Bremen playing with ten men after Niklas Stark\'s red card.
Managing director Simon Rolfes announced the decision on Monday, citing concerns about team direction and development. The club determined that building a successful team with ten Hag was not feasible given recent performances.
Major Summer Overhaul Creates Challenges
Leverkusen underwent significant roster changes this summer beyond the coaching change. Star players Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong joined Liverpool while captain Granit Xhaka moved to newly-promoted Sunderland.
Goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky and midfielder Amine Adli also departed for Monaco and Bournemouth respectively. The mass exodus left ten Hag with a substantially different squad than last season\'s title winners.
\"This decision was not an easy one for us. Nobody wanted to take this step,\" Rolfes said. \"However, the past few weeks have shown that building a new and successful team with this setup is not feasible.\"
Ten Hag\'s Second Dismissal in Year
The 55-year-old Dutch coach was previously sacked by Manchester United in October 2024 with the club sitting 14th in the Premier League. His United tenure produced two trophies but ended with the club\'s worst-ever Premier League finish of 15th place last season.
\"We need the players to work together — on and off the pitch — and to form a strong unit again,\" Rolfes added during Monday\'s press conference.