Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been named the new head coach of Bayer Leverkusen, signing a two-year contract to succeed Xabi Alonso, who was recently unveiled as Real Madrid’s next manager.
The appointment marks Ten Hag’s return to football management following his departure from United in October 2024. The 55-year-old Dutchman takes over a Leverkusen side that has grown into one of Germany’s top teams, coming off back-to-back strong seasons under Alonso, including a domestic double in 2023-24 and a second-place finish in the Bundesliga this past campaign.
Ten Hag officially begins his new role on 1 July, leading the club through a transitional but ambitious period. Speaking after his unveiling, Ten Hag said: “Bayer Leverkusen is one of the best clubs in Germany and also among the top clubs in Europe. I’ve come to continue the ambition shown here in recent years. It’s an attractive challenge to build something special together in this period of change.”
Leverkusen’s sporting director, Simon Rolfes, praised the club’s newest hire, citing Ten Hag’s track record of success in difficult situations. “With Erik ten Hag, we have brought in an experienced coach with impressive success on the pitch,” Rolfes said. “With three league titles and two domestic cup wins, he and Ajax dominated Dutch football from 2018 to 2022. And Erik demonstrated his quality as a coach with the ensuing success at Manchester United under difficult circumstances.”
Ten Hag’s time at Old Trafford was a mixed but eventful period. He arrived in the summer of 2022 with a reputation for stylish, disciplined football, built on his achievements with Ajax, where he guided the club to three Eredivisie titles and a memorable Champions League semi-final run in 2019.
At Manchester United, he quickly made his mark by leading the team to their first trophy in six years with a Carabao Cup win in 2023. He followed it up with an FA Cup triumph in 2024. However, inconsistency plagued his tenure, and a disappointing start to the 2024–25 season saw United languishing in 14th place by October, prompting the club to part ways with the Dutchman.
Now, Ten Hag steps into a Leverkusen side with higher expectations. Under Alonso, the club re-established itself as a title contender and earned plaudits for its aggressive, attacking style of play. Leverkusen finished second in the 2024-25 Bundesliga season, 13 points behind champions Bayern Munich, and the club is eager to maintain that momentum.
Ten Hag is expected to bring his trademark discipline, tactical fluidity, and emphasis on youth development to the job. His appointment is also seen as a sign of Leverkusen’s long-term commitment to competing both domestically and in Europe, with the club securing Champions League football for the upcoming season.
His first tasks will be overseeing summer recruitment and setting up a preseason programme designed to get the team firing early. Reports in Germany suggest Ten Hag will be given significant backing in the transfer window to reinforce key areas, especially in defence and midfield.
While the shadow of Alonso’s success will linger, Ten Hag is no stranger to pressure or expectations. With experience at the highest levels and a vision for sustained growth, his arrival marks an exciting new chapter for Bayer Leverkusen.
The challenge is clear: maintain their elite status in Germany and make deeper inroads into European competition. And for Ten Hag, it’s a chance to reassert himself among Europe’s top managers.
