Bayer Leverkusen Sacks Manager Erik ten Hag After Disastrous Three-Match Start

Bayer Leverkusen has fired manager Erik ten Hag. The dismissal comes after just three official matches in charge. The club announced the decision on Monday, September 1st.

This move follows a dramatic 3-3 draw with Werder Bremen. Leverkusen surrendered a late lead in that match. The result left the team with just one point from two Bundesliga games.

Rapid Downfall for Former Manchester United Boss

Ten Hag’s tenure was remarkably short. His only home league game ended in a 2-1 loss to Hoffenheim. Leverkusen had taken an early lead but collapsed.

The season began with a 4-0 cup win against lower-league side Sonnenhof Grossaspach. That victory now seems like a distant memory. The poor league results prompted immediate action from the club’s hierarchy.

CEO Fernando Carro called the decision “painful but necessary.” He stated the club must create the best conditions to achieve its seasonal goals. Managing director Simon Rolfes added that building a successful team under this setup seemed unfeasible.

Marco Rose Emerges as Leading Contender for Vacant Role

Attention now turns to who will replace Ten Hag. According to Sky Germany, Marco Rose is a leading candidate for the job. The former RB Leipzig manager is currently without a club.

Rose has significant Bundesliga experience. He has previously managed Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Mönchengladbach. His availability makes him a strong and realistic option for Leverkusen.

The club’s assistant coaching staff will handle training temporarily. The international break provides a brief window to appoint a new manager. The goal is to have a successor in place before the league resumes on September 12th against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Ten Hag becomes the third former Manchester United manager dismissed in recent weeks. This highlights a surprising trend for coaches following their Old Trafford tenures. Leverkusen will hope their next appointment can bring much-needed stability and success.

Info at your fingertips

Why was Erik ten Hag really fired?

He was fired due to extremely poor results. The team earned only one point from his two Bundesliga matches and displayed poor game management.

Who is the favorite to become the new manager?

Marco Rose is the current frontrunner. Reports from Sky Germany indicate the experienced Bundesliga coach is a top candidate for the vacant position.

How many games did Erik ten Hag actually manage?

He managed three official matches. This included one DFB-Pokal cup game and two Bundesliga fixtures before his dismissal.

What was the final result that got him sacked?

The immediate trigger was a 3-3 draw with Werder Bremen. Leverkusen conceded two very late goals to squander a win.

Have other ex-Manchester United managers been fired recently?

Yes, this is a notable pattern. Jose Mourinho (Fenerbahce) and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Besiktas) were also recently dismissed from their posts.