Erik ten Hag has been dismissed as Bayer Leverkusen head coach after just three games in charge, with poor Bundesliga results leading to his early exit. The Dutch manager, who succeeded Xabi Alonso, departs amid high expectations and mounting pressure ahead of the Champions League campaign.
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Erik ten Hag was dismissed from his position as head coach of Bayer Leverkusen, reported on Monday morning by transfer market specialist journalist Fabrizio Romano, and shortly afterwards confirmed by the German club itself.
The announcement, which quickly spread across European media outlets, came as a surprise to many observers, considering that the season had only just begun. However, the lack of positive results in the opening matches, combined with the high expectations placed on the team following the successful tenure of Xabi Alonso, created an environment where patience was in very short supply.
In its official statement, Bayer Leverkusen clarified that the decision was made with immediate effect, leaving no room for speculation about a possible stay of execution for the Dutch coach. “Bayer 04 has dismissed head coach Erik ten Hag with immediate effect. The role will be temporarily assumed by the assistant coaching staff,” read the club’s note. For now, the technical leadership will be shared among the assistants, although the club’s management is expected to begin the process of searching for a new permanent head coach as quickly as possible.
Ten Hag, 55, had arrived in Leverkusen in the summer of 2025 to succeed Xabi Alonso, who had left for Real Madrid after guiding Bayer to historic successes, including winning the Bundesliga and reaching the late stages of European competition. The Dutchman, known for his previous spells at Ajax, where he took the club to a memorable Champions League semi-final in 2019, and Manchester United, where he won the EFL Cup and returned the team to the Champions League, was seen as a safe and experienced pair of hands to continue the project. However, results on the pitch did not meet expectations.
In his short tenure, Ten Hag oversaw just three official matches in charge of Bayer Leverkusen. In the Bundesliga, the team managed only one point from their opening two fixtures, raising immediate doubts about their competitiveness under his leadership. The only bright spot was a victory in the domestic Cup, but even that was not enough to convince the board that progress was being made. With Leverkusen aiming to consolidate their status as one of Germany’s leading clubs and to make an impact in the Champions League, the poor start was deemed unacceptable.
The dismissal also highlights the intense pressure and unforgiving nature of elite football management. Bayer Leverkusen are currently preparing for a demanding schedule, which includes a crucial Champions League group stage campaign. The German side has been drawn in the same group as Benfica, with a highly anticipated clash scheduled to take place at the Estádio da Luz on November 5. The instability in the dugout is likely to be seen as a potential advantage for Benfica, as well as the other group opponents, given that Leverkusen must now adjust to a new leadership structure at a vital stage of the season.
Ten Hag’s departure so early in the campaign adds another chapter to the debate about managerial lifespans at top clubs. Despite his extensive experience and proven track record, his tenure in Germany lasted just a matter of weeks. The contrast with Xabi Alonso’s spell could not be sharper: while the Spaniard left Leverkusen as a celebrated figure, Ten Hag exits under a cloud of disappointment, leaving fans and analysts questioning whether he was the right fit from the outset.
Looking ahead, Leverkusen will have to carefully evaluate their next step. The club cannot afford to lose momentum domestically, where Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and RB Leipzig are expected to be strong competitors, nor in Europe, where the Champions League provides both financial rewards and prestige. Potential successors are already being speculated in the media, with names ranging from established Bundesliga figures to rising European coaches.
For Ten Hag himself, this represents a significant blow to his career. After difficult periods at Manchester United, where he faced criticism despite moments of success, his move to Germany was supposed to be an opportunity for redemption and to rebuild his reputation at the top level. Instead, his time at Bayer Leverkusen has ended abruptly, raising questions about what his next step might be. Some believe he may seek opportunities in other European leagues, while others think a return to Dutch football could provide a more stable environment for him to restart.
Meanwhile, Leverkusen fans will be left wondering what could have been. The summer optimism surrounding the appointment of Ten Hag has quickly evaporated, replaced by uncertainty about the direction of the team. With crucial matches on the horizon, the club must act decisively to restore stability and keep alive the ambitious goals set out before the season began.
Updated: 02:48, 1 Sep 2025
