“Complete surprise”: Ten Hag slams Bayer Leverkusen after brutal two-game sacking

“Complete surprise”: Ten Hag slams Bayer Leverkusen after brutal two-game sacking

Erik ten Hag said Bayer Leverkusen’s decision to dismiss him after only two Bundesliga matches came as a “complete surprise” and accused the club of lacking trust in him.

Leverkusen opened its league campaign with a 2-1 home defeat to Hoffenheim before drawing 3-3 against 10-man Werder Bremen on Saturday. The poor start prompted the 55-year-old Dutchman’s abrupt departure on Monday.

Ten Hag, who had been without a job since being sacked by Manchester United in October last year, replaced Xabi Alonso in May on a two-year deal after the Spaniard left to take charge of Real Madrid.

“The decision by Bayer Leverkusen’s management this morning to put me on a leave of absence came as a complete surprise. To part ways with a coach after just two league matches is unprecedented,” Ten Hag said in a statement released by his agency.

Under Alonso, Leverkusen enjoyed a historic 2023–24 campaign, winning its first Bundesliga title unbeaten, lifting the German Cup, and reaching the Europa League final.

But Ten Hag faced a difficult rebuild after the summer departures of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Jonathan Tah, Granit Xhaka, and Amine Adli.

“Building a new, cohesive team is a careful process that requires both time and trust,” Ten Hag said. “I started this job with full conviction and energy, but unfortunately the management was not willing to grant me the time and trust I needed, which I deeply regret. I feel this was never a relationship based on mutual trust.”

Ten Hag’s most successful spell came at Ajax, where he won three Eredivisie titles and led the club to the 2019 Champions League semifinals.

“Clubs that placed their trust in me have been rewarded with success and silverware,” he added.

Published on Sep 02, 2025