Erik ten Hag Named New Bayer Leverkusen Head Coach

Bayer Leverkusen has officially appointed Erik ten Hag as their new head coach, taking over from Xabi Alonso, who is expected to move on to manage Real Madrid. The 55-year-old Dutchman has agreed to a contract that will keep him at the Bundesliga club until the summer of 2027.

This marks a return to German football for Ten Hag, who previously coached Bayern Munich’s second team during the early 2010s. He gained international recognition at Ajax, where he won three domestic league titles and famously led the team to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in 2019, overcoming several European giants along the way. His most recent managerial role was at Manchester United, where he won two domestic trophies but was dismissed in late 2024 following a disappointing start to the Premier League season that left the club mid-table.

Leverkusen enters a new chapter following a historic campaign under Alonso, which saw them lift both the league and domestic cup while remaining unbeaten. However, the club’s performance dipped the following season, finishing second in the league and reaching the cup semifinals. Now, the team is undergoing significant changes, with several key players departing — including Jeremie Frimpong, who has moved to a new club, and captain Jonathan Tah, whose contract has ended. Midfield star Florian Wirtz is also the subject of strong transfer interest, creating challenges for the new coach to maintain the club’s upward trajectory.

The club’s management praised Ten Hag’s deep tactical knowledge and history of developing young talent, noting that his experience in both Dutch and German football makes him a strong fit. They also expressed confidence that the revenue from recent transfers will support squad rebuilding efforts. Among new additions is a highly rated young defender joining from another Bundesliga side, signaling the start of a new team structure. Despite some departures, the team still features standout players such as Grimaldo, Xhaka, and Schick, providing Ten Hag with a solid platform to build on in domestic and European competitions.