Bayer Leverkusen have officially appointed Erik ten Hag as their new head coach, marking the Dutchman’s return to football management after his departure from Manchester United in October 2024. Ten Hag, 55, has signed a contract with the Bundesliga club running until June 2027.
Ten Hag replaces Xabi Alonso, who led Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga title in the 2023–24 season and a domestic double before departing to take over at Real Madrid. Under Alonso, Leverkusen finished as Bundesliga runners-up in the 2024–25 season, 13 points behind champions Bayern Munich.
A New Chapter for Ten Hag
Ten Hag’s appointment at Leverkusen marks his fifth senior managerial role, following stints at Go Ahead Eagles, Bayern Munich II, Utrecht, Ajax, and Manchester United. At Ajax, he achieved significant success, winning three Eredivisie titles and leading the team to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in the 2018–19 season.
His tenure at Manchester United began in May 2022 and included victories in the League Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024. However, a poor start to the 2024–25 season saw United languishing in 14th place in the Premier League, leading to his dismissal in October 2024.
Reflecting on his new role, Ten Hag expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity: “Bayer 04 are one of the best clubs in Germany and also among the top clubs in Europe. The club offers outstanding conditions, and I’ve been very impressed with the discussions with the management. I’ve come to Leverkusen to continue with the ambition shown in recent years. It’s an attractive challenge to set up something together in this period of change and develop an ambitious team.”
Leverkusen’s Vision and Expectations
Leverkusen’s Sporting Managing Director, Simon Rolfes, highlighted Ten Hag’s track record and alignment with the club’s philosophy: “With Erik ten Hag, we have brought in an experienced coach with impressive success on the pitch. With three league titles and two domestic cup wins, he and Ajax dominated Dutch football from 2018 to 2022. And Erik demonstrated his quality as a coach with the ensuing success at Manchester United under difficult circumstances at times.”
Rolfes emphasized that Ten Hag’s football philosophy aligns with Leverkusen’s goals of playing technically demanding, dominant football, with targets including success in the Bundesliga, DFB Pokal, and Champions League.
Challenges Ahead
Ten Hag takes over a Leverkusen side that has experienced significant success in recent seasons but now faces a period of transition. Key players such as Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz have been linked with moves away from the club, potentially to Liverpool. Maintaining the team’s competitive edge in domestic and European competitions will be a primary objective for the new head coach.
Ten Hag is set to begin preparations for the 2025–26 season on July 1, 2025. His appointment is seen as a strategic move by Leverkusen to build upon recent successes and continue their pursuit of excellence in German and European football.
As Leverkusen embark on this new chapter under Ten Hag’s leadership, the club and its supporters will be eager to see how his experience and tactical acumen translate into continued success on the pitch.
