Erik ten Hag criticized Bayer Leverkusen’s fitness after a 3-3 draw with Werder Bremen, stating the team is ‘not ready’ for the season. He urged players to take responsibility, highlighting a lack of fitness and teamwork. Leverkusen faces Eintracht Frankfurt and Copenhagen next.
Erik ten Hag has publicly criticized his Bayer Leverkusen squad, stating they are "not ready" for the challenges of the 2025-26 season. The Dutchman called upon his players to take greater responsibility for their individual performances after a disappointing draw against Werder Bremen.
Leverkusen, under Ten Hag's leadership, have had a rocky start to the Bundesliga campaign. The latest setback came in a 3-3 draw away to Werder Bremen, a match where Leverkusen surrendered a two-goal lead. This result leaves them with just a single point from their opening two league games, a far cry from the expectations surrounding the club.
The match at the Weserstadion saw Patrik Schick restore Leverkusen's two-goal advantage with a penalty shortly after the hour mark. Leverkusen's lead had previously been reduced by Romano Schmid's penalty for Bremen on the stroke of half-time. However, Werder Bremen mounted a late comeback, with goals from Isaac Schmidt and Karim Coulibaly securing a point for the home side. Coulibaly's goal was particularly significant, as highlighted by OptaFranz:
1 – At 18 years and 99 days, Karim Coulibaly is Werder Bremen’s youngest goalscorer in the Bundesliga. Furthermore, the Green-Whites came back from a two-goal deficit in the top flight for the first time while being one man down. Morale. pic.twitter.com/5TjwJ1Nu0D
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) August 30, 2025
Ten Hag didn't hold back in his assessment of the team's performance, pinpointing a lack of fitness as a major concern. "The players aren’t ready," he told Sky Sports DE in a post-match interview. "We have a new team and some of the players aren’t at all fit enough to play. The team didn’t function at all during the final stage of the game. That’s just the way it is."
The former Manchester United manager emphasized the need for increased intensity and improved fitness levels within the squad. He stated, "They need to bring more intensity and get fitter in order to meet my standards." Ten Hag is clearly demanding a significant improvement in the physical condition of his players if they are to compete at the level he expects.
Looking ahead, Ten Hag stressed the importance of teamwork and individual responsibility. "After the international break, we face real competition and must perform as a team," he said. "That begins with taking responsibility and delivering individual performances. And they have to demonstrate to me that they want to work together.”
Leverkusen's upcoming fixtures present a stern test of their credentials. They are set to face Eintracht Frankfurt, who are currently in impressive form, following the international break. Furthermore, they will begin their Champions League campaign with a match against Copenhagen. These matches will provide a clear indication of Leverkusen's progress under Ten Hag and whether the players have responded to his criticism.
The pressure is mounting on Ten Hag to turn things around quickly at Leverkusen. With significant investment made in the squad, expectations are high, and the Dutchman will need to find a way to address the team's fitness issues and instill a greater sense of collective responsibility if they are to achieve their objectives this season. The upcoming weeks will be crucial in determining the direction of Leverkusen's season and Ten Hag's future at the club.
The manager's direct and public criticism of his players is a clear indication of his dissatisfaction with their current level of performance. It remains to be seen whether this approach will have the desired effect or whether it will create further tension within the squad. One thing is certain: Ten Hag is not afraid to make tough decisions and demand more from his players.
The Leverkusen faithful will be hoping that the international break provides an opportunity for the team to regroup, address their fitness concerns, and come back stronger for the challenges that lie ahead. The season is still young, but the pressure is already on for Ten Hag and his players to deliver.