Erik ten Hag has been sacked by Bayer Leverkusen just two games into the Bundesliga season after a string of poor results. The club’s sporting director, Simon Rolfes, cited the difficulty in building a successful team with the current setup as the reason for the decision. This follows a summer overhaul of the squad and a recent 3-3 draw against Werder Bremen, where Leverkusen squandered a 3-1 lead. The assistant coaching staff will take over training while the club searches for a new manager.
In a shocking turn of events, Bayer Leverkusen has announced the dismissal of Erik ten Hag, just two games into the Bundesliga season. The decision comes after a string of underwhelming performances that have left the club hierarchy questioning the Dutchman's ability to lead the team forward.
Ten Hag's tenure at Leverkusen began with promise, as the team secured a victory against Grossaspach in the DFB-Pokal. However, their league form quickly deteriorated. A 2-1 home defeat to Hoffenheim was followed by a frustrating 3-3 draw against Werder Bremen, a match in which Leverkusen squandered a 3-1 lead despite Bremen playing with only 10 men. These results have piled early pressure on Ten Hag, ultimately leading to his premature departure.
The club officially announced the decision via their Twitter account:
Bayer 04 Leverkusen has parted ways with head coach Erik ten Hag with immediate effect.
Training will be taken over by the assistant coaching staff for the time being. pic.twitter.com/aKrEtySB46
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) September 1, 2025
This marks a swift and unexpected end to Ten Hag's time at Leverkusen, a role he took on this summer after his previous stint with Manchester United. His sacking from United last October raised eyebrows, and the Leverkusen job was seen as an opportunity for him to rebuild his reputation. However, his failure to deliver immediate results has cost him his position.
Simon Rolfes, Leverkusen's managing sporting director, expressed the difficulty of the decision. "This decision was not an easy one for us. Nobody wanted to take this step," he stated. "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."
It is understood that Ten Hag oversaw a significant overhaul of Leverkusen's squad during the summer transfer window, following the departures of key players such as Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Granit Xhaka. These departures naturally necessitated new signings, and the club has been active in the transfer market. Just yesterday, Leverkusen announced the acquisition of Eliesse Ben Seghir for a reported €35 million, bringing their total number of signings this window to 16. While the influx of new players is intended to strengthen the squad, integrating so many new faces in a short period of time presents its own challenges, something Ten Hag evidently struggled with.
The decision to sack Ten Hag raises questions about the club's long-term vision and the level of patience afforded to new managers. While results are undoubtedly important, building a cohesive and successful team takes time, particularly after a significant squad overhaul. Leverkusen's quick trigger suggests a desire for immediate success, a pressure that Ten Hag was unable to withstand.
The club has confirmed that training will be taken over by the assistant coaching staff in the interim, while the board begins its search for a new head coach. The new manager will inherit a squad brimming with talent but also facing the challenge of gelling together and finding consistency. The pressure will be on to turn Leverkusen's fortunes around quickly and justify the club's ambitious approach. Several names are already being linked with the job, including former players and experienced Bundesliga coaches. The coming weeks will be crucial as Leverkusen seeks to appoint a manager capable of unlocking the team's potential and guiding them to success.
This managerial change also adds another layer of intrigue to the Bundesliga season. Leverkusen were expected to be among the contenders for Champions League qualification, but their early struggles have thrown their ambitions into doubt. The appointment of a new manager could either revitalize the team and propel them up the table or lead to further instability. Either way, Leverkusen's season has taken an unexpected turn, and the focus will be firmly on their next move.