Bayer Leverkusen has terminated the contract of head coach Erik ten Hag after just three matches into the 2025-26 season. The decision follows a disappointing start, including a loss to TSG Hoffenheim and a draw against Werder Bremen, which saw the team squander a two-goal lead.
Ten Hag, who succeeded Xabi Alonso in May 2025, signed a two-year contract, aiming to build on Alonso’s success. Under Alonso, Leverkusen clinched the 2024 Bundesliga title. However, the new coach’s tenure quickly turned sour, marked by a lack of cohesion and a failure to adapt to the demands of the squad.
The decision to part ways with ten Hag was reached by the shareholders’ committee on the recommendation of the club’s management. Simon Rolfes, Bayer’s managing director for sport, expressed the difficulty of the decision. “This decision was not an easy one for us. Nobody wanted to take this step,” he stated. Rolfes emphasized that the past few weeks demonstrated the challenges of building a successful team under ten Hag’s leadership.
Leverkusen’s season began with a 3-1 defeat to TSG Hoffenheim at home, followed by a dramatic 3-3 draw against Werder Bremen. While they managed to secure a win in the DFB-Pokal against fourth-tier SG Sonnenhof on August 15, 2025, the team’s overall performance fell short of expectations.
The club has experienced significant upheaval over the summer, with key players such as Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, and Granit Xhaka leaving. In response, Bayer Leverkusen invested around €170 million ($199.31 million) to rebuild the squad, bringing in new talent including Malik Tillman and Mark Flekken.
Despite the financial outlay and new signings, ten Hag’s conservative coaching style did not resonate with the players, leading to mounting frustrations. Captain Robert Andrich voiced concerns after the draw with Werder Bremen, describing the performance as disjointed. “Everyone played for themselves… We have too many players who are preoccupied with other things or only with themselves,” he remarked, highlighting the team’s lack of unity.
Bayer CEO Fernando Carro acknowledged the painful nature of this decision but stressed its necessity for the club’s future. “A parting of ways at this early stage of the season is painful, but we felt it was necessary,” Carro said. He affirmed the club’s commitment to achieving its goals and emphasized the need for optimal conditions across the first team.
As Bayer Leverkusen seeks to regroup after this setback, the search for a new head coach is underway, with the aim of restoring stability and performance ahead of the rest of the season.
