Erik Ten Hag Sacked After Two Games

Erik ten Hag has been sacked by Bayer Leverkusen only 62 days after taking charge, making his stay one of the shortest in the club’s history. The former Manchester United manager, who returned to coaching in May after a seven-month break, lasted just two months before the club ended his contract.

His time began well, with Leverkusen cruising to a 4-0 victory over fourth-tier SG Sonnenhof Großaspach in the DFB-Pokal. But problems quickly followed. A 2-1 defeat to Hoffenheim and a frustrating 3-3 draw with ten-man Werder Bremen left the club sitting in 12th place in the Bundesliga. Club officials moved quickly, deciding a change was necessary.

In a short statement posted on social media, Leverkusen announced:
“Bayer 04 Leverkusen has parted ways with head coach Erik ten Hag with immediate effect. Training will be overseen by the assistant coaching staff for now.”

Ten Hag, 55, had replaced Xabi Alonso, who guided Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga season and a DFB-Pokal triumph before leaving for Real Madrid. Expectations were high, but results fell short.

After the Bremen game, Ten Hag admitted his squad was not yet ready. He said:
“We have a new team and some players aren’t fit enough to play. The team didn’t function in the final stage of the game. They need more intensity to meet my standards.”

His dismissal adds to a tough week for ex-Manchester United managers, as Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were also sacked by Fenerbahce and Besiktas.

For Ten Hag, the setback comes less than a year after losing his job at Manchester United, despite lifting the FA Cup.