Erik Ten Hag Dismissed After Brief Tenure at Bayer Leverkusen
Erik ten Hag's brief tenure at Bayer Leverkusen has led some critics to refer to him as "Erik Ten Weeks."
While this nickname is an exaggeration, his time with the club lasted just one day short of nine weeks, totaling 62 days, during which he oversaw only two Bundesliga matches.
Ten Hag was dismissed following a disappointing 3-3 draw against 10-man Werder Bremen, where Leverkusen squandered a 3-1 lead. This result came just one week after the team suffered a loss to Hoffenheim in their season opener at home. Throughout his brief stint, Ten Hag managed to secure only one competitive victory, a German Cup match against a fourth-division team.
Appointed in late May to succeed title-winning coach Xabi Alonso, who left for Real Madrid, Ten Hag officially began his role on July 1. Initially, Leverkusen appeared optimistic about his ability to guide the team through a partial rebuild, especially as the club was losing key players like Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Tah.
However, early season results were disappointing, and they were not the only factors leading to Ten Hag's dismissal. From the outset, his decisions and behavior sparked irritation among club officials and fans alike.
For example, he rescheduled a friendly match against Flamengo's under-20 team during Leverkusen's training camp in Brazil, moving the game up by four days, which resulted in a shocking 5-1 defeat for Leverkusen.
Additionally, Ten Hag publicly opposed the departure of midfielder Granit Xhaka, insisting that he should remain with the team despite the club's indication that Xhaka could leave for the right offer, which eventually came from Sunderland.
Ten Hag also criticized his players for their fitness levels, despite having overseen their pre-season training. He has been accused of lacking the charisma necessary to lead a top-flight team, particularly one with a newly assembled roster. Sources within the club suggest that his pre-match talks were uninspiring, with reports indicating that he did not even address the team before their opener against Hoffenheim.
In contrast, his predecessor, Alonso, made significant efforts to improve his German language skills and leadership abilities during his time at Leverkusen.
The decision to part ways with Ten Hag so early in the season has taken many by surprise. It raises questions about the judgment of sporting director Simon Rolfes, who strongly advocated for Ten Hag's hiring, as well as chief executive Fernando Carro.
Carro stated on Monday, "A parting of ways at this early stage of the season is painful, but we felt it was necessary." This decision comes despite expectations that thorough background checks were conducted prior to Ten Hag's appointment.
Only a few years ago, Ten Hag was celebrated for his successful tenure at Ajax, where he won three Dutch championships and reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2019. His initial year at Manchester United also showed promise, with his eventual departure often attributed to the turmoil within the club rather than his managerial abilities.
Bayer Leverkusen now faces significant challenges. The club appears willing to sell nearly every player who expresses a desire to leave while also having signed new players like Malik Tillman and Jarell Quansah, who expected Ten Hag to be their coach.
Historically, the club has been recognized for its level-headed decision-making, but Monday's announcement may alter that perception. Leverkusen must now find a suitable replacement during the international break, with reports indicating discussions with former Barcelona coach Xavi and former Dortmund and Leipzig manager Marco Rose are underway.
Regardless of who takes over, the saga surrounding Ten Hag will not be easily forgotten.