Bayer Leverkusen has appointed former Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag as Xabi Alonso’s replacement.
The Bundesliga membership mentioned Monday (May 26, 2025) that the 55-year-old Ten Hag had signed a contract via 2027, making his return to teaching after he was fired by United in October.
He inherits a workforce that completed second within the Bundesliga and reached the German Cup semifinals this season. Leverkusen gained each competitions below Alonso the 12 months earlier than and have become the primary unbeaten Bundesliga champion ever. Alonso left to take over as Real Madrid coach.
“In the past they were always innovative, they were always at the forefront, but in the last years they took a step forward to win titles. That’s what I’ve always lived by throughout my career. I want to win,” Ten Hag mentioned at his presentation. “But I also want to win in a certain way … playing dominant, attractive football to get people excited.”
Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes mentioned the membership had tried to signal Ten Hag already in early 2021, when he was nonetheless coach of Dutch heavyweight Ajax. Ten Hag led Ajax to 3 Eredivisie titles, and the Champions League semifinals in entertaining model in 2019.
“It didn’t work out, but now,” mentioned Rolfes, who mentioned Ten Hag’s model of attacking soccer suits at Leverkusen very properly.
“He has also shown time and again in the past, whether it is (former Ajax stars) Frenkie de Jong or Ryan Gravenberch, that he can develop talents to a top international level and that is also important for us, that we keep rewriting these stories a little bit,” Rolfes mentioned.
“It’s important for development that you always have a goal, and that’s our goal too. Erik has proven that by winning titles in recent years, having been very successful both at Ajax and Manchester United. And that’s something that always drives us to be successful,” Rolfes mentioned.
Ten Hag gained two home cups in his two and a half years in cost at United however was fired after the membership’s worst begin to a season, with 4 defeats in 9 league video games.
United’s subsequent troubles below Ten Hag’s successor Ruben Amorim helped restore its former coach’s repute. Ten Hag was United’s fifth supervisor in 9 years when he took over.
“I’ve come to Leverkusen to continue with the ambition shown in recent years. It’s an attractive challenge to set up something together in this period of change and develop an ambitious team,” Ten Hag said.
Ajax wanted to bring Ten Hag back as Francesco Farioli’s replacement after his team’s late-season meltdown allowed PSV Eindhoven clinch the Eredivisie title, but Ten Hag said talks with Leverkusen were at such an advanced stage that he didn’t consider a return.
At Leverkusen, Ten Hag will be charged with maintaining the team’s upward trajectory under Alonso, though he will need to do it with a much-changed side. Rolfes, who said Leverkusen aims to finish among the Bundesliga’s top four for Champions League participation, said there will be changes to the team.
Captain Jonathan Tah is leaving after not renewing his contract, star player Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong have been linked with Liverpool, and others have talked about leaving the club.
Rolfes confirmed Liverpool had been in touch about Wirtz but couldn’t say whether he will stay or go, nor did he give any indication about what other players might join – just that he faces a busy summer ahead.
Ten Hag said he is relishing the challenge of a fresh start.
“That always happens when a team is so successful. Players will always be of interest and it’s good. Players will definitely go, some are gone already, but I am certain we will have to build a new squad, and from that we will have to form a new team. That’s a fantastic process,” he mentioned.
Published – May 27, 2025 02:50 am IST
