𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: Ten Hag has been sacked by Leverkusen after just two games

Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag’s stint at Bayer Leverkusen has come to an unexpected conclusion after just two matches in the Bundesliga, following the club’s dramatic collapse against Werder Bremen. The team allowed a commanding 3-1 lead to slip away, resulting in a frustrating 3-3 draw against a depleted Bremen side that was playing with ten men. This poor performance ultimately prompted the club to sever ties with Ten Hag.

The disappointing outcome led Leverkusen’s leadership to make a swift decision regarding Ten Hag’s future shortly after the match. With just two Bundesliga games under his belt in the 2025-26 season, he found himself without a second chance. The club’s official communication confirmed the change in leadership: “Bayer 04 Leverkusen has parted ways with head coach Erik ten Hag with immediate effect. Training will be conducted by the assistant coaching staff for the foreseeable future.” This statement underscored the urgent nature of their response in light of mounting frustrations.

According to reports from Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg, the club’s management communicated their decision to Ten Hag on Monday morning, which delayed the team’s training session as they scrambled to address the fallout from the weekend’s events. Fans had entered the season with optimism after Leverkusen’s resounding 4-0 victory over SG in the first round of the DFB Pokal. However, reality set in when they suffered a shocking defeat to Hoffenheim in their Bundesliga opener, signaling that trouble was brewing.

The draw against Bremen proved to be the tipping point for Ten Hag, especially given that Bremen was down a player for nearly thirty minutes. This situation became untenable for the club’s management, who felt compelled to take decisive action so early in the season, effectively cutting their losses on Ten Hag’s tenure.

Compounding the challenges faced by the new coach were the significant changes to the squad during the summer transfer window. Leverkusen had undergone a major overhaul, losing several key figures from their recent title-winning side. Star players like Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka, Lukas Hradecky, and Jonathan Tah departed the club, following their former manager Xabi Alonso. This mass exit left the squad lacking depth and experience, further burdening Ten Hag as he attempted to establish his own vision for the team.

As the club approaches a crucial juncture, they must urgently identify and secure Ten Hag’s successor during the upcoming international break. This is essential to ensure that the new head coach can swiftly integrate into the role and prepare to guide the team as they return to action on September 12 against Eintracht Frankfurt. In the wake of this coaching change, Bayer Leverkusen faces a critical moment as they aim to regroup and regain their competitive edge within the Bundesliga following this turbulent start to their season. The coming weeks will play a significant role in shaping the future direction of the club and its aspirations to reclaim its position among Germany’s elite teams.