Erik Ten Hag Sacked by Bayer Leverkusen After Shocking Start: 3-3 Draw Seals Fate

In a stunning development that has rocked the Bundesliga, Bayer Leverkusen have sacked manager Erik ten Hag after just two league games into the 2025/26 season, following a dramatic 3-3 draw against 10-man Werder Bremen on August 30, 2025, where they squandered a 3-1 lead.

The Dutchman’s brief tenure, which began in May 2025 after his departure from Manchester United, ended abruptly as Leverkusen’s board, led by sporting director Simon Rolfes, refused to back him amid mounting internal criticism and fan unrest. This marks one of the quickest managerial dismissals in Bundesliga history, signaling a crisis at the club just weeks after their historic unbeaten domestic double under Xabi Alonso.

A Disastrous Start in Germany

Ten Hag’s appointment was initially hailed as a bold move to build on Alonso’s legacy, with his track record at Ajax—three Eredivisie titles and a Champions League semi-final—seen as a strong foundation. However, his stint at Leverkusen unraveled rapidly. A 2-1 home defeat to Hoffenheim on the opening day, despite an early lead from ex-Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah, set the tone for a troubled campaign. The Werder Bremen draw proved the final straw, as Leverkusen collapsed, conceding twice in the final 15 minutes to 18-year-old Karim Coulibaly and Isaac Schmidt, despite Bremen’s Niklas Stark being sent off in the 64th minute.

The Bremen debacle, where Leverkusen led 3-1 via goals from Patrik Schick (twice) and debutant Malik Tillman, exposed tactical and fitness deficiencies. Ten Hag’s post-match comments to Sky Germany, admitting, “The players aren’t ready… they need to get fitter to meet my standards,” did little to quell concerns, instead drawing ire from captain Robert Andrich, who criticized the team’s lack of cohesion and questioned Ten Hag’s tactics. German outlet Kicker reported that the club’s hierarchy had doubts about Ten Hag before the Bremen match, with the draw escalating the situation to “critical.”

A Club in Transition

Leverkusen’s decision to part ways with Ten Hag reflects deeper challenges. The club underwent a major squad overhaul after Alonso’s departure to Real Madrid, losing key players like Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong to Liverpool and Granit Xhaka for profit. Ten Hag inherited a team in transition, compounded by a disastrous pre-season, including a 5-1 loss to Flamengo’s U20 side. Reports of a rift with management over signings, notably the acquisition of Real Madrid’s Lucas Vazquez without Ten Hag’s input, further strained his position.

What’s Next for Leverkusen?

With Leverkusen languishing in the Bundesliga’s bottom half with just one point from two games, the club faces an urgent task to appoint a successor. Names like Roger Schmidt, who previously led Leverkusen to Champions League qualification, and Matthias Jaissle, currently at Al-Ahli, are already circulating as potential candidates. The two-week international break provides a window to regroup, but the next manager will inherit a squad under pressure to meet lofty expectations. For Ten Hag, this marks a second consecutive high-profile sacking, following his dismissal from Manchester United in October 2024 after a poor Premier League start. Despite his earlier successes, including an FA Cup and Carabao Cup with United, his reputation has taken a hit. Speculation about his next move points to a potential return to Ajax or a role in Dutch football, though some suggest he may take time away from the game.