Bayer Leverkusen Sack Ten Hag After Two Matches

Former Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag has been dismissed by Bayer Leverkusen after only two league matches in charge.

Ten Hag, 55, joined the German club in the summer following his October exit from United.

“Nobody wanted to take this step,” Leverkusen managing director Simon Rolfes said on the club’s website.

“However, the past few weeks have shown that building a new and successful team with this set-up is not feasible.”

Leverkusen collected just one point from their opening two Bundesliga fixtures.

After losing 2-1 at home to Hoffenheim on the opening weekend, they drew 3-3 against 10-man Werder Bremen on Saturday, despite leading 2-0 and 3-1 during the game.

Ten Hag signed a two-year contract in May to succeed Xabi Alonso, who led Leverkusen to a league and cup double in 2023-24 before taking over as Real Madrid boss.

“A parting of ways at this early stage of the season is painful, but we felt it was necessary,” Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro said.

“We remain committed to achieving our goals for the season – and to do that, we need the best possible conditions at all levels and across the entire first team.”