Coach Erik ten Hach was dismissed from Leverkusen after only two league games.
Ten Haach, a former Manchester United manager, officially took office as Leverkusen manager of the German Bundesliga in May ahead of the new season after a seven-month absence, but he was humiliated by being dismissed just 62 days after officially taking the helm.
Leverkusen's leadership has taken the extra step of choosing to break up even though the contract with Ten Hag is until 2027. The club said on its official SNS on the 2nd (Korea time) that Bayer 04 Leverkusen immediately broke up with coach Erik ten Hag. 'For the time being, the training will be undertaken by the head coaching staff,' he said in a brief statement.
Leverkusen were sluggish in their opening two games, losing 1-2 to Hoffenheim in their first Bundesliga match and a 3-3 draw with 10-man Werder Bremen in their next match. Coach Ten Hag replaced Spanish Xavi Alonso as Leverkusen's coach. Alonso won the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal without a loss in the 2023-2024 season and moved to Real Madrid ahead of the Summer Club World Cup after finishing second in the Bundesliga last season. After the draw with Werder Bremen, Ten Hag said "the team is not ready for the season."The players are not ready. We are a new team and some players are not fit enough to play. In the second half, the team didn't function properly at all"That's the reality." Players need to improve their strength and physical strength to meet my standards."
With the club reportedly deciding to dismiss Ten Hag based on the impossibility of team rebuilding in recent weeks, Ten Hag strongly criticized Leverkusen's decision, calling it "unprecedented". In a statement, Ten Hag said "The decision by the club's management to dismiss me this morning was completely unexpected"It's unprecedented to say goodbye to the coach after just two games," he said. "A number of key players who led to previous success have left the team ahead of this summer season. Building a new cohesive team is a prudent process that takes time and trust. The new coach needs space to implement his vision, set standards, build his squad, and leave his mark on the style of play." "I took this role with conviction and enthusiasm, but unfortunately the management did not give me the time and trust I needed. This is very unfortunate."I feel this relationship has never been based on mutual trust"Clubs who trusted me throughout my career were rewarded with success and trophies."," he stressed. Finally, "We thank Bayer Leverkusen fans for their warm hospitality and enthusiasm, and wish the team and staff their best performance for the rest of the season." left a greeting.
Responding to the decision, Managing Director Simon Rolfes said "This decision was not an easy choice for us. No one wanted this decision." CEO Fernando Caro "At the beginning of the season, we decided that such a break-up was painful, but necessary."We are committed to achieving our season goals, and we need the best environment at all levels and across the first team. It is now important to fully implement and utilize this environment. However, in recent weeks, it has emerged that building new and successful teams is not possible under these regimes. We are confident in the quality of the team and will make every effort to take the next step of development with the new system."
Meanwhile, Coach Ten Hag served as Manchester United's head coach from 2022 to 2024, leading him to win the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, but was dismissed in October 2024 due to poor league performance.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
