Erik ten Hag is reportedly on the brink of being sacked by Bayer Leverkusen after just two league matches, with the Dutchman having been linked with the Manchester United job
Erik ten Hag of Leverkusen looks on
Erik ten Hag has got off to a bad start at Bayer Leverkusen (Image: Bayer 04 Leverkusen via Getty Images)
Erik ten Hag is reportedly on the brink of being dismissed by Bayer Leverkusen after just two league matches, according to German media. The Bundesliga giants had appointed former Manchester United manager Ten Hag as a replacement for Xabi Alonso ahead of the new season, but he has struggled to make an impact, with the 2024 champions yet to secure a league victory.
Ten Hag's tenure began with a win over fourth-tier side Sonnenhof Grossaspach in the first round of the DFB-Pokal. However, his team suffered a narrow defeat to Hoffenheim, who staged a comeback to clinch a 2-1 victory following Jarell Quansah's early goal.
Leverkusen then squandered a two-goal lead against Werder Bremen on Saturday, ultimately settling for a 3-3 draw.
Kicker has reported that Ten Hag's position is under serious threat, just three months after his appointment. The situation is described as 'extremely critical', with the Dutchman believed to be under intense internal scrutiny.
Club officials are expected to make a definitive decision on Ten Hag's future once the summer transfer window closes. This suggests that he could be sacked as early as Monday evening, although Leverkusen have not yet announced their final decision.
This development follows Ten Hag's harsh criticism of his players after their draw with Wolfsburg, where he urged them to take responsibility for their disappointing start to the season.
He said: "The players aren't ready. We have a new team and some of the players aren't at all fit enough to play. The team didn't function at all during the final stage of the game. That's just the way it is.
"They need to bring more intensity and get fitter in order to meet my standards. After the international break, we face real competition and must perform as a team.
"That begins with taking responsibility and delivering individual performances. And they have to demonstrate to me that they want to work together.
"First, we need to have the players. There's been a major upheaval. A lot has changed in the leadership and hierarchy of the team. Now new players have to step up. We didn't do that well today."
Leverkusen skipper Robert Andrich also delivered some scathing remarks in his post-match chat, moaning about a shortage of team spirit and unity.
"This has nothing to do with unrest or player changes," he said, seemingly contradicting Ten Hag. "But rather with the team on the pitch. We have too many people preoccupied with other things.
"We have too many people who are concerned only with themselves. Everyone played for themselves. Everyone ran around the pitch on their own."
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