Erik ten Hag has been sacked by Bayer Leverkusen after just two Bundesliga matches, following a dramatic collapse against ten-man Werder Bremen that proved to be the final straw for the club’s hierarchy.
The former Manchester United manager oversaw a 3-3 draw on Saturday in a match Leverkusen had led 3-1, despite Bremen being reduced to ten men for the final half hour. The result capped a poor start to the 2025–26 Bundesliga campaign for Ten Hag, who took over in the summer following a major squad overhaul.
Leverkusen confirmed the Dutchman’s departure in an official statement on Monday, saying:
“Bayer 04 Leverkusen has parted ways with head coach Erik ten Hag with immediate effect. Training will be taken over by the assistant coaching staff for the time being.”
Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg reported that Ten Hag was informed of the decision on Monday morning, which subsequently delayed the club’s training session.
Ten Hag’s brief spell at the club began with a 4-0 win over SG in the DFB Pokal first round, but Leverkusen lost their Bundesliga opener to Hoffenheim before the collapse against Bremen intensified pressure.
Leverkusen’s turbulent start comes after a summer of upheaval, with the departures of key players Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka, Lukas Hradecky and Jonathan Tah, as well as former manager Xabi Alonso, who led the club to their historic Bundesliga title last season.
The club will use the upcoming international break to appoint a permanent replacement, with the new manager expected to be in place before Leverkusen’s next fixture, at home against Eintracht Frankfurt on 12 September.
