Erik ten Hag sacked by Bayer Leverkusen after two games into 2025/26 season
Dismissed Bayer Leverkusen manager, Erik ten Hag. Photo Credit- Fabrizio Romano/X
Dutch manager Erik ten Hag has been sacked by Bayer Leverkusen after only two matches into the 2025/26 Bundesliga season, according to an exclusive report by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. The decision, confirmed by the club’s hierarchy this morning, marks a dramatic end to ten Hag’s brief tenure with the German side.
Ten Hag, who took charge of Leverkusen in May 2025 following a seven-month absence from management after his dismissal from Manchester United in October 2024, struggled to meet the club’s elevated expectations. His reign began with a disastrous 5-1 pre-season loss to Flamengo’s under-20s, followed by a 3-3 draw against Bremen in the Bundesliga opener, despite Leverkusen playing with a numerical advantage. These results, coupled with internal criticism, prompted the swift decision to terminate his contract.
The move comes in the wake of Leverkusen’s highly successful 2023-24 season under former manager Xabi Alonso, who led the team to an unbeaten domestic double and a Europa League final. A Daily Mail article from August 31, 2025, highlighted the pressure on ten Hag to replicate that success, noting the club’s radical shift in strategy despite his appointment.
Ten Hag’s managerial career, which includes leading Ajax to three consecutive Eredivisie titles and a 2019 Champions League semi-final, has now been marred by short-lived stints at top clubs. His time at Manchester United saw him win the EFL Cup and FA Cup but ended with poor league and European performances.
The sacking underscores a growing trend of managerial instability in football. A 2022 UEFA study cited an average tenure of 1.2 years for top-tier managers, reflecting the increasing volatility in the sport. Leverkusen has yet to announce a replacement for ten Hag as the season progresses.
