Erik ten Hag Dismissed as Bayer Leverkusen Manager After Three Matches

Leverkusen, Germany – September 1 (AP) – Erik ten Hag's tenure at Bayer Leverkusen ended after just three matches.

The Dutch manager was dismissed on Monday amid concerns within the Leverkusen camp about his capability to efficiently manage the club’s reconstruction following a summer departure of pivotal players.

"This decision wasn't easy for us," stated Leverkusen's sports director, Simon Rolfes. "Nobody wanted to take this step. But the last few weeks showed that building a new and successful team with this set-up could not be achieved effectively. We firmly believe in the quality of our team and will now do everything in our power to take the next steps in our development with a new constellation."

In Ten Hag's Bundesliga debut, Leverkusen suffered a 2-1 defeat at home against Hoffenheim. Following that, they conceded a two-goal lead in a 3-3 draw with 10-man Werder Bremen on Saturday.

Kicker magazine had already reported doubts about Ten Hag's methods among Leverkusen’s management the Thursday before their second league match.

The 55-year-old was appointed in May to succeed Xabi Alonso and was tasked with overseeing a significant overhaul of the squad that had clinched the Bundesliga title in 2024.

Ten Hag had cautioned earlier in the month about the impossibility of instant success, stating, "You can't force the process. It's impossible. No one is like Harry Potter," prior to his debut against fourth-tier Sonnenhof Großaspach in the German Cup.

Though Leverkusen triumphed 4-0 in that cup game, they struggled initially, only securing their second goal after their opponents were reduced to ten men, and scored twice more after another red card for the amateur team.

Ten Hag previously used the Harry Potter analogy during his tenure at Manchester United.

After a defeat to Liverpool in September 2024, he admitted he was "no Harry Potter" while discussing the challenges of relying on players with limited game time. Less than two months following that comment, he was dismissed from United. (AP) DDV

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