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12/17 08:51
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Managerial Dismissal: Bayer Leverkusen terminated Erik ten Hag's contract after just two Bundesliga matches, citing that retaining him would have been a "bigger mistake." Ten Hag had signed a contract until 2027 in May, succeeding Xabi Alonso, who left for Real Madrid.
Ten Hag's Reaction: In a statement, Ten Hag expressed his surprise at the decision, labeling it "unprecedented." He emphasized that a new coach should be given time to implement their vision and standards, which he felt was not afforded to him.
Club's Justification: CEO Fernando Carro described the decision as "painful but necessary." Sporting director Simon Rolfes noted that the team lacked "clarity and direction" under Ten Hag, and acknowledged the hiring mistake, stating it was better to act than to let the situation continue.
Rebuilding Efforts: Ten Hag was expected to lead a significant rebuild after Leverkusen's successful period under Alonso, where they won the Bundesliga unbeaten and the German Cup. However, the club sold eight key players, including Florian Wirtz and Granit Xhaka, complicating his task.
Poor Start: Ten Hag's tenure began with a 5-1 loss to Flamengo's under-20 team in a friendly, followed by a 4-0 win in the German Cup, but only one point from the first two Bundesliga matches, where the team squandered leads.
Internal Issues: Reports indicated that Ten Hag quickly lost credibility within the club, lacking a personal connection with players. He was also excluded from discussions regarding new signings, such as Lucas Vazquez.
Significant Investments: Leverkusen made substantial investments in new players, with four of their five most expensive signings this summer costing a combined total of 132 million euros ($156 million) plus add-ons.
Historical Context: Ten Hag's dismissal marks him as the coach with the shortest tenure in Bundesliga history. He is the third former Manchester United coach to be fired within a week, following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Jose Mourinho.
