Leverkusen Sack Erik Ten Hag After Just Two Bundesliga Matches

Bayer Leverkusen have sacked Erik ten Hag after only two league games in charge, bringing an abrupt end to his short and troubled tenure as successor to Xabi Alonso.

The Dutchman, dismissed by Manchester United last October, was appointed in July to replace Alonso, who guided Leverkusen to a historic unbeaten domestic double before departing for Real Madrid.

Ten Hag’s arrival was meant to continue that momentum, but his reign lasted just 62 days.

Leverkusen opened the season with a 2–1 home defeat to Hoffenheim before collapsing to a 3–3 draw at Werder Bremen, despite leading 3–1 against 10 men.

The results left the club five points adrift of the early league leaders, and supporters quickly voiced frustration over the team’s performances.

Club officials confirmed his dismissal on Monday, stating that the decision was taken after a review of results and internal disagreements over strategy. Reports in Germany also point to dressing-room unrest, disputes over penalty duties, and public criticism from Ten Hag regarding the club’s transfer policy.

His brief spell came against the backdrop of a major summer overhaul, with the departures of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Jonathan Tah, Granit Xhaka, Lukas Hradecky, and Amine Adli generating close to €200 million. High-profile replacements were brought in, but the new squad struggled to find cohesion.

German football expert Constantin Eckner described the tenure as “a disaster from the start,” citing a poor pre-season campaign including a 5–1 loss to Flamengo’s U20 teamand tensions with the board.

Assistant coach is expected to take interim charge while the club searches for a permanent replacement. The dismissal marks one of the shortest managerial reigns in Bundesliga history, further denting Ten Hag’s reputation after his turbulent exit from Old Trafford.