Erik ten Hag is set to make a dramatic return to the dugout as he prepares to replace Xabi Alonso as manager of Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen.
The Dutchman, who has been out of work since his sacking by Manchester United in October, is reportedly close to finalising terms with the German club. If confirmed, the appointment will mark Ten Hag’s first managerial role since ending a mixed stint at Old Trafford and a fresh chapter in his coaching career.
The 55-year-old has been biding his time on the sidelines, rejecting several offers since his departure from Manchester United. According to sources close to Ten Hag, he had always intended to return to management this summer, ideally with a project that matched his ambitions and values. That opportunity now appears to have arrived in the form of Leverkusen.
The German club has been on the lookout for a new manager after the highly successful Alonso stepped down. Alonso, who guided Leverkusen to their first-ever Bundesliga title in 2024 with an unprecedented unbeaten league campaign, is expected to take over from Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid at the end of the season.
Alonso’s departure leaves big shoes to fill at the BayArena, but Leverkusen believe Ten Hag is the ideal candidate to build on the Spaniard’s impressive foundations. The club not only secured their historic league title last season but also completed a domestic double, lifting the DFB-Pokal with a victory over Kaiserslautern.
Though Leverkusen couldn’t replicate that exact dominance this season, they still managed a second-place finish in the Bundesliga and secured Champions League qualification, keeping them among Europe’s elite.
Ten Hag will return to familiar territory if the move goes through. The Dutch tactician previously worked in Germany, spending two years in charge of Bayern Munich’s second team from 2013 to 2015. During that time, he developed his tactical philosophy and formed key relationships that still resonate in the German football scene.
His career peaked at Ajax, where he built a youthful, exciting team that reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2019. That success earned him a move to Manchester United in 2022, where he initially enjoyed success, winning both the FA Cup and League Cup in his first two seasons. He also guided United to a third-place finish in the Premier League during the 2022–23 campaign.
However, Ten Hag’s reign at Old Trafford unravelled quickly in his third season. A string of poor results, inconsistent performances, and mounting pressure led to his dismissal on 28 October 2024, following a 2-1 defeat away to West Ham United. While United briefly showed faith in him after an unexpected FA Cup final win over Manchester City, patience ultimately ran out.
Despite that turbulent end, Ten Hag remains highly regarded across Europe for his tactical acumen, emphasis on youth development, and disciplined style of play. Leverkusen’s management believe his track record and experience are well-suited to maintaining the club’s recent upward trajectory.
His task at Leverkusen will be twofold: continue developing the exciting core of young talent that flourished under Alonso, and make a deep run in next season’s Champions League. With the backing of a well-run club and a talented squad, Ten Hag could well re-establish himself among Europe’s managerial elite.
An official announcement is expected in the coming days, with Ten Hag likely to assume his new role at the beginning of July, in line with his original plan for a summer return.
For Leverkusen fans, the arrival of a proven manager with European pedigree offers reason for optimism. And for Ten Hag, it’s a chance to begin anew — in a league he knows, at a club ready to win.
