Former Man United boss Erik ten Hag could be set for a return to management with German outfit Bayer Leverkusen.
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Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag.
Erik ten Hag is reportedly set for a return to management.(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images.)
Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has reportedly agreed to becoming Bayer Leverkusen's new head coach.
The German outfit are on the lookout for a new boss after Xabi Alonso revealed earlier this month he would be leaving at the end of the season, amid speculation he will succeed Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid.
Ten Hag, 55, has been out of management since being sacked by United last October. According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Dutchman has "said yes" to taking over at Leverkusen, agreeing to sign a two-year contract.
Romano, however, has stated that Ten Hag is waiting to learn of Leverkusen's final decision after they held talks with several other candidates to succeed Alonso.
It is claimed Ten Hag, who spent just over two years in charge at Old Trafford, winning two major trophies, has made taking over at Leverkusen his priority. However, Ajax are reportedly still interested in reappointing their former boss.
Leverkusen, after the thrill of winning the Bundesliga last season, finished second and 13 points behind champions Bayern Munich this term.
Nevertheless, a second-placed finish has seen them secure Champions League qualification for next term.
Should Leverkusen successfully appoint Ten Hag as their new boss, the Dutchman will be reunited with former United goalkeeper Matej Kovar at the BayArena. He joined the Bundesliga club in August 2023 and has made 32 appearances for the club, keeping 16 clean sheets.
Outgoing Leverkusen chief Alonso has spent just under three years in charge of the Bundesliga club after being appointed in October 2022. He led them to three trophies, all of which were won in the 2023/24 campaign, winning the Bundesliga, the DFB-Pokal and the DFL-Supercup.
He also guided Leverkusen to last season's Europa League final, but saw his side lose 3-0 to Atalanta. That marked their only defeat across all competitions in a remarkable 2023/24 campaign.
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