Erik ten Hag has been out of work for six months since leaving Manchester United but the Dutchman could be back in the dugout very soon with a number of jobs coming available
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07:56, 15 May 2025
Erik ten Hag
Erik ten Hag has been out of work since being sacked by Manchester United
(Image: Getty Images)
Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is one of the front-runners to take over at Bayer Leverkusen - but is also open to a return to the Premier League. The Dutchman has been out of work since being sacked by the Red Devils earlier this season.
He has been linked with a host of roles including at Borussia Dortmund and former club Ajax. But it appears that a move to Germany could be a realistic proposition for Ten Hag.
According to The Athletic, he has been shortlisted by Bayer Leverkusen as they search for their successor to Xabi Alonso, but he is also willing to explore the possibility of a return to the English top flight.
Alonso, who won the title with Leverkusen in 2024, confirmed his exit from the Bundesliga side last week and is expected to take the reins at former club Real Madrid.
He said: "This week the club and I have agreed that these two games will be my last two games as Bayer Leverkusen coach. We have been talking during this week, and now is the right moment to announce it.
“We have always had good and direct communication, and now that we have clarity, it is the right moment to say that for sure. It is a moment with mixed emotions, but it is the moment to announce it."
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Cesc Fabregas is also reportedly admired by Leverkusen chiefs but is expected to remain with Italian side Como for the time being.
That leaves Ten Hag well in the running at Leverkusen, having worked in German football with Bayern Munich II, as Pep Guardiola managed the senior side. But the 55-year-old is keeping his options open, having already hinted in the past that his future could lie away from the dugout.
"There are so many other things I could do," he told SEG Stories. "Maybe in football, in a new position as a manager. That’s an option.
"Or maybe something completely different. I've been working with my brothers lately. We have our own company.
Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso has just one game left as Bayer Leverkusen boss
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"Or rather, they have their own company. But we also run a company together with our father. That’s also something I love to do. I can now give that more attention and it's also a lot of fun."
Ten Hag, commenced his managerial career with Go Ahead Eagles before moving to Bayern Munich II. He has since had spells with Utrecht and Ajax before being appointed Man United boss in 2022.
The Dutchman won the League Cup in his debut campaign, adding the FA Cup to that during his second season. But his third year was a disaster as United endured a rotten start to the campaign, with Ten Hag eventually paying with his job and was eventually replaced by Ruben Amorim.
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