Football

Ex-Man Utd coach Erik Ten Hag takes over at Leverkusen

Agence France-Presse
The new head coach of German Bundesliga team Bayer Leverkusen, Erik ten Hag delivers a press conference in Leverkusen, western Germany, on May 26, 2025. Hag will take over as head coach of German Bundesliga team Bayer Leverkusen, with a contract running until June 30, 2027, the club announced on May 26, 2025. (Photograph: INA FASSBENDER / AFP)
Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has been appointed head coach of Bayer Leverkusen, replacing Xabi Alonso, who is set to join Real Madrid.

The Dutchman signed a two-year contract and was unveiled at a press conference on Monday alongside Leverkusen’s sporting director Simon Rolfes and chairman Fernando Carro.

“I want to look forward and build something with new energy,” said Ten Hag. “I want to win, but in a specific style — dominant, attractive football that excites people. That’s what we have here.”

Ten Hag, 55, returns to Germany after a previous stint managing Bayern Munich’s reserve team between 2013 and 2015. His most recent tenure at Manchester United ended in October 2024 following a poor run of results, though he won both the FA Cup and League Cup, and secured a third-place Premier League finish in 2022–23.

Despite United initially sticking with him after a season review, he was sacked following a 2–1 loss to West Ham. Reflecting on his time at Old Trafford, he said: “It was a real pleasure, but that chapter is over.”

At Ajax, Ten Hag won three Eredivisie titles and two domestic cups, establishing himself as one of Europe’s most respected tacticians.

Leverkusen, who won their first-ever Bundesliga title under Alonso in an unbeaten 2023–24 season and also claimed the German Cup, finished second this season behind Bayern Munich. Ten Hag now faces the challenge of rebuilding the squad as several key players are expected to leave.

Centre-back Jonathan Tah is set to join Bayern Munich, while Liverpool have shown “concrete interest” in midfielder Florian Wirtz and wing-back Jeremie Frimpong, according to Rolfes.

German media had linked Leverkusen with Serie A coach and former star midfielder Cesc Fabregas, but he opted to remain at Como.

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“This is an attractive challenge,” Ten Hag said. “Leverkusen is one of the best clubs in Germany, and I want to continue the ambition shown here in recent years. It’s time to build something new together.”

Rolfes praised Ten Hag’s track record: “With Erik, we’ve brought in an experienced coach with impressive success. His achievements at Ajax and even at Manchester United under difficult circumstances show his quality.”

Ten Hag now has the chance to not only steer Leverkusen into a new era but also restore his managerial reputation on the European stage.

AFP