Ten Hag replaces Xabi Alonso: 'Erik has proven his quality as a coach'
Erik ten Hag, formerly at the helm of Manchester United, has been officially appointed as the new head coach of Bayer Leverkusen, stepping into the formidable shoes left by Xabi Alonso. Signing a contract through June 2027, Ten Hag returns to club management following his departure from Old Trafford in October 2024, inheriting a Leverkusen side that recently finished second in the Bundesliga.
Bayer Leverkusen has confirmed the appointment of Erik ten Hag as their new head coach, with the seasoned Dutchman signing a contract that will see him lead the club until June 2027. Ten Hag takes over from the highly successful Xabi Alonso, who has departed to become Real Madrid's new coach, replacing Carlo Ancelotti. This move marks Ten Hag's first managerial role since his departure from Manchester United in October 2024.
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Ten Hag arrives at Leverkusen inheriting a team fresh off a strong season, having finished second in the Bundesliga behind Bayern Munich and reaching the German Cup semi-finals. These achievements follow a period of significant success for the club under Alonso, who notably guided them to a double in the preceding year.
💬 Erik ten Hag: „#Bayer04 ist einer der besten Vereine in Deutschland und gehört auch zur erweiterten europäischen Elite. Der Klub bietet hervorragende Bedingungen, die Gespräche mit den Verantwortlichen haben mich sehr beeindruckt." #tenHag | #Werkself pic.twitter.com/O0jV4epvus
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04fussball) May 26, 2025
During his two-and-a-half-year tenure at Old Trafford from 2022, Ten Hag secured two domestic cups—the FA Cup and the League Cup. However, his time at Manchester United concluded after a challenging start to the 2024-2025 season, which saw the club suffer four defeats in their opening nine league games.
'Bayer belongs to the expanded European elite'
Speaking at his inaugural press conference as Leverkusen's coach, Ten Hag expressed his enthusiasm for the new challenge. "Bayer is one of the best clubs in Germany and also belongs to the expanded European elite," he stated, emphasizing the club's high standards. "The club offers excellent conditions, and the discussions with the officials have impressed me greatly. I have come to Leverkusen to confirm the ambitions that have grown over the past few years. It is an appealing task to build something together in this phase of change and to develop an ambitious team."
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Leverkusen's sporting director, Simon Rolfes, articulated the club's confidence in their new coach, highlighting Ten Hag's proven quality and impressive track record. Rolfes pointed to Ten Hag's successful four-season spell at Ajax from 2018, where he clinched the Eredivisie title three times and the KNVB Cup twice, dominating Dutch football. "Even through the subsequent successes with Manchester United under sometimes difficult conditions, Erik has proven his quality as a coach," Rolfes added, acknowledging the complexities of his previous role.
Rolfes concluded by affirming a shared vision for the club's future under Ten Hag. "Our visions of football align. With technically demanding and dominant football, we want to pursue the highest goals in the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League," he declared, setting a clear trajectory for the club under its new leadership.
