Erik ten Hag is officially back in the dugout after being named as Bayer Leverkusen’s new head coach.
The Dutch tactician has inked a two-year contract with the Bundesliga giants, marking his return to club football following a turbulent spell at Manchester United.
This appointment is Ten Hag’s first managerial job since his departure from Old Trafford in October 2024. His stint in England ended with United languishing in 14th place, having collected only 11 points from their first nine league fixtures. Despite lifting the FA Cup and the EFL Cup, his time at the Red Devils ended abruptly when he was replaced by Ruben Amorim.
Speaking to Bayer Leverkusen’s official website, Ten Hag expressed his enthusiasm about the new opportunity. “Bayer 04 are one of the best clubs in Germany and also among the top clubs in Europe,” he stated. “The club offers outstanding conditions. I’ve been very impressed with the management’s ambition.”
He added, “I’ve come to Leverkusen to continue with the momentum shown in recent years. It’s an attractive challenge to build something new during this period of change and to develop a competitive and ambitious team.”
Erik ten Hag signs with Bayer 04 as our new head coach until 2027!✍️
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) May 26, 2025
Let’s get started! 💪⚫️🔴 pic.twitter.com/JNDut2dvND
Although this is his first managerial position in Germany’s top-flight, Ten Hag is not unfamiliar with German football. From 2013 to 2015, he coached Bayern Munich’s reserve team, where he clinched the Regionalliga Bayern title. His experience in the country is expected to help him adjust quickly.
Following his spell in Germany, Ten Hag made waves in his home country with FC Utrecht before taking over at Ajax in December 2017. At Ajax, he built a strong legacy, winning three Eredivisie titles and guiding the team to a UEFA Champions League semi-final.
Now, the 54-year-old manager steps in to fill the shoes of Xabi Alonso, who led Leverkusen to an unprecedented unbeaten Bundesliga campaign in the 2023-24 season. Alonso has since moved on to take the reins at Real Madrid, succeeding Carlo Ancelotti, who departed to manage Brazil’s national team.
Ten Hag’s arrival signals a continuation of Leverkusen’s ambition to remain among Europe’s elite. With their recent domestic triumph and a solid foundation in place, all eyes will be on how the Dutchman will shape the team moving forward.
His proven track record of developing young talent and his tactical prowess make him an ideal candidate to sustain and elevate the success Leverkusen has recently enjoyed.
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