The Dutch coach, who arrived in May to replace Xabi Alonso, left his position amid a football and locker room crisis
"Such an early separation in the season is painful, but necessary from our point of view. The ambition remains to achieve the set objectives, and that requires the best conditions at all levels," explained president Fernando Carro. In the same vein, sporting director Simon Rolfes stated: "Nobody wanted to take this step, but it was inevitable".
Bayer Leverkusen Bayer Leverkusen dismissed Erik ten Hag after just three matches, something completely unprecedented in the history of German football. The team of Exequiel Palacios, Alejo Sarco, and the recently signed Claudio Echeverri and Equi Fernández, announced his dismissal after just three matches.
The Dutch coach, who is 55 years old, had been introduced at the end of May as Xabi Alonso's successor, who left for Real Madrid after being crowned champion in 2024 and runner-up in 2025 with the German side.
Ten Hag, who had already been dismissed by Manchester United last October, leaves with a brief record: a home defeat against Hoffenheim (2-1, after leading), a 3-3 draw against Werder Bremen (after being ahead 2-0 and 3-2), and a 4-0 victory in the German Cup against modest Grossaspach from the fourth division.
According to the German press, the departure is not only explained by the poor results. Ten Hag's character was not well received by either the squad or the management, and the locker room never fully accepted his playing style. In addition, the team lost much of its potential after the departures of key players such as Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong (Liverpool), Granit Xhaka (Sunderland), Piero Hincapié (Arsenal), Lukas Hradecky (Monaco), Jonathan Tah (Bayern), and Amine Adli (Bournemouth).
For now, the Dutchman's assistants will take charge of training sessions while the management searches for a replacement. Leverkusen's next fixture will be on September 12 against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga. A few days later, the team will make its debut in the Champions League, visiting Copenhagen.
