Leverkusen fires Erik ten Hag as coach after 3 games in charge

By Canadian Press on September 1, 2025.

LEVERKUSEN, Germany (AP) — Erik ten Hag lasted three games at Bayer Leverkusen.

The Dutch coach was fired on Monday after doubts emerged in Leverkusen over the former Manchester United manager’s ability to oversee the German team’s successful rebuild after a summer exodus of key players.

“This decision wasn’t easy for us,” Leverkusen sports director Simon Rolfes said in a statement.

Leverkusen was beaten 2-1 at home on Ten Hag’s Bundesliga debut by Hoffenheim, then squandered a two-goal lead to allow 10-man Werder Bremen grab a 3-3 draw on Saturday.

Kicker magazine had already reported on Thursday before that second league game that Leverkusen’s management were having second thoughts about Ten Hag’s work.

The 55-year-old Ten Hag was appointed as Xabi Alonso’s replacement in May and was entrusted with managing a massive overhaul of the squad that had won the Bundesliga in 2024.

The Associated Press