Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been dismissed by Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen, just two months after his appointment in July.
The Dutchman was brought in to replace Xabi Alonso, who departed for Real Madrid, but his tenure has ended abruptly after just three games in charge. Ten Hag managed only a single point, with Leverkusen drawing 3-3 against Werder Bremen on Friday night — a result that proved to be the final straw for the club’s hierarchy.
Leverkusen Confirm Ten Hag’s Early Exit
In an official statement, Leverkusen chief executive Fernando Carro confirmed the decision, citing the need to act swiftly in order to meet the club’s ambitions for the season.
“A parting of ways at this early stage of the season is painful, but we felt it was necessary,” Carro said. “We remain committed to achieving our goals for the season – and to do that, we need the best possible conditions at all levels and across the entire first team. Now it’s a matter of fully implementing and utilising these conditions again.”
The announcement leaves Leverkusen searching for their third head coach in as many months as the club looks to steady the ship after a turbulent start to the 2025/26 Bundesliga season.