Erik ten Hag Appointed As Bayer Leverkusen Manager In Bold New Chapter.
Bayer Leverkusen have officially appointed former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag as their new head coach, succeeding Xabi Alonso, who has departed for Real Madrid. The 55-year-old Dutchman signed a two-year contract until June 2027, marking his return to management after being sacked by Manchester United in October 2024, following a challenging stint that saw the club languishing in 14th place in the Premier League.
Ten Hag, who previously managed Ajax to three Eredivisie titles and a Champions League semi-final in 2019, expressed enthusiasm for his new role, stating, “Bayer Leverkusen is one of the best clubs in Germany and among the top clubs in Europe. The club offers excellent conditions, and the discussions with the management have impressed me greatly.” He also highlighted his ambition to build on Leverkusen’s recent successes, aiming to deliver “dominant and attractive football” to inspire fans.
The appointment follows Leverkusen’s remarkable 2023-24 season under Alonso, where they secured an unbeaten Bundesliga title and the DFB-Pokal, though they finished second to Bayern Munich in the 2024-25 campaign. Ten Hag, who has prior experience in Germany as Bayern Munich II manager from 2013 to 2015, faces the challenge of maintaining Leverkusen’s competitive edge amid potential squad changes. Notably, star midfielder Florian Wirtz is heavily linked with a £126m move to Liverpool, while defenders Jonathan Tah and Jeremie Frimpong are also reportedly attracting interest from Bayern Munich and other clubs.
At his introductory press conference on 26 May 2025, Ten Hag praised Wirtz’s talent but remained non-committal on the player’s future, focusing instead on his vision for the team. Leverkusen’s sporting director, Simon Rolfes, lauded Ten Hag’s track record, citing his success at Ajax and his ability to navigate “difficult circumstances” at Manchester United, where he won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
Ten Hag’s appointment has sparked excitement among fans, with football fans reflecting optimism about his potential to continue Leverkusen’s upward trajectory. However, he inherits a squad in transition and the daunting task of following Alonso’s historic tenure. His official start date is set for 1 July 2025, and he is expected to reunite with former Manchester United goalkeeper Matej Kovar, now at Leverkusen.