Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Erik ten Hag Sacked by Bayer Leverkusen After Three Matches

Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Bayer Leverkusen have parted ways with Erik ten Hag just three months into his tenure. This comes after a very poor start to the Bundesliga season. They are yet to win any league matches. The Dutch manager was appointed in May as Xabi Alonso’s successor.

However, with only three games being in charge, Ten Hag was dismissed on Monday morning. The decision came after a 3-3 draw against Werder Bremen at the weekend. Ten Hag’s brief spell began with promise after a 4-0 DFB-Pokal win over Sonnenhof Grossaspach.

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. pic.twitter.com/aKrEtySB46
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) September 1, 2025

However, the Bundesliga campaign told a different story. Leverkusen lost their opening fixture 2-1 at home to Hoffenheim. Then they failed to secure a win in their next two games. The final blow came on Saturday when the team surrendered a two-goal lead against 10-man Bremen.

They conceded an equalizer in stoppage time. The match also saw tensions flare. Players were seen arguing over a penalty before Patrick Schick converted. Ten Hag branded the on-field dispute as “unacceptable.” It seems he was not given any time following that.

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Bayern Leverkusen Confirm Decision

Leverkusen confirmed the news in an official statement, 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.” CEO Fernando Carro admitted that the decision was difficult, saying:

“A parting of ways at this early stage of the season is painful, but we felt it was necessary. We remain committed to achieving our goals for the season.” Managing director Simon Rolfes added that recent weeks showed building a successful team under the current setup was ‘not feasible’.

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Reports in Germany suggested previously that there was a growing friction between Ten Hag and the club hierarchy. They revealed there was friction within the coach and the squad as well. Following Saturday’s draw, captain Robert Andrich voiced frustration: “There are too many people just playing for themselves.”

Erik Ten Hag Joins the Unfortunate List

The 55-year-old, who signed a two-year deal worth €5.5 million annually, could now be owed over €8 million in severance. This marks another setback for Ten Hag. Looking back, the coach was dismissed by Manchester United less than a year ago.

It was a decision that cost the Premier League side around £10.4 million in compensation. Leverkusen will now search for a new manager to stabilize their season after a turbulent start. Meanwhile, Ten Hag joins Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjær as former Manchester United bosses losing jobs within the same week.

Bayer Leverkusen

Erik Ten Hag

Moumita Dutta

soccer

Football writer at The Playoffs. I’ve been obsessed with the beautiful game since I was a kid.. Eventually, I realized I could combine my passion for writing with my love for football, and I’ve never looked back. My favorite part of the job is everything—when you’re doing what you love, even a late-night deadline feels like extra time in a thrilling cup final. Lastly, Lionel Messi is the GOAT.