Bayer Leverkusen, Sept 1, 2025: Bayer Leverkusen has made a shock mid-season move by firing Erik ten Hag after just three games in command. The Bundesliga side confirmed the exit on Monday after an action-packed 3-3 draw at Werder Bremen as Leverkusen saw two go behind late on, including a 94th-minute equaliser.
Early Struggles in Bundesliga
Ten Hag, who had taken over as Xabi Alonso’s successor, started with a 2-1 home defeat against Hoffenheim. Leverkusen had gone ahead in the first place through Jarell Quansah, but Leverkusen staged a turnaround. The manager had one win to himself, with Leverkusen beating Sonnenhof Großaspach 4-0 in the first round of the DFB-Pokal, but league results were not satisfying.
Leverkusen revealed the assistant coaching staff would take over training sessions on a temporary basis as the club looks to find Ten Hag’s replacement. “Bayer 04 Leverkusen has parted ways with head coach Erik ten Hag with immediate effect,” read the confirmation from the club. The move left fans and pundits discussing the next permanent appointment.
Club Management Responds
Fernando Carro, Leverkusen CEO, referred to the move as “painful” but unavoidable. “We’re still firm on fulfilling our objectives for the season – and to do that, we must have the optimal conditions at all levels and throughout the entire first team,” he said. Managing director Simon Rolfes also added that past weeks had indicated “building a successful team with this configuration is impossible,” but was confident of the quality of the squad.
Ten Hag is the third former Manchester United manager to be sacked in recent months after José Mourinho at Fenerbahce and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Besiktas. His short spell in charge at Leverkusen questions managerial stability in European clubs and the pressure on high-level coaches.
What’s Next for Leverkusen?
With the international break in sight, Leverkusen has to appoint its new manager urgently. The new manager is set to take over just in time for the next Bundesliga match between Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt on September 12. The leadership of the club has insisted on the imperative to put in place a unified approach in order to keep the team competitive for the rest of the season.
As rumors swirl over prospective contenders, supporters are anxiously waiting to learn who will take over the reins and try to calm Leverkusen’s early-season upheaval.
