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Erik Ten Hag has described his dismissal of Bayer Leverkusen as “unprecedented” and said that “never” gave him the confidence he needed after being fired only three games in his mandate.
The former Manchester United Chief signed a two -year contract in the summer to succeed Xabi Alonso, who went to Real Madrid.
But Leverkusen’s management decided to act quickly after a mixed start: a 4-0 DFB-Pokal victory, a 2-1 defeat in the league against Hoffenheim and a 3-3 draw with Werder Bremen in which they delivered a two-go advantage.
In a statement through his Seg Football agency, Ten Hag expressed his frustration for the decision: “Separate from a coach after only two league games is not precedent.
“A new coach deserves the space to implement his vision, establish the standards, shape the squad and leave his mark in the style of play. Unfortunately, management was not willing to give me the time and confidence he needed, of what he sorry deeply.”
Leverkusen lost key players in the summer: Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz departed towards Liverpool, while Captain Granit Xhaka joined Sunderland, leaving ten hag with the task of rebuilding.
The Dutchman had been previously fired by Manchester United in October 2024, despite winning the Cábabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.
Ten Hag thanked Leverkusen’s supporters in his statement, but concluded: “I feel that this was never a relationship based on mutual trust. Clubs that trusted me have been successfully rewarded and covered.”
