Apathy Leverkusen taps Ten Hag as Alonso's replacement
Bayer 04 Leverkusen Appoints Erik ten Hag as New Head Coach
Bayer 04 Leverkusen has announced the appointment of Erik ten Hag as their new head coach, effective July 1, 2025. The Dutchman has signed a contract with the German club that runs until June 30, 2027.
Ten Hag's extensive coaching experience and impressive sporting achievements been praised by Bayer 04's sporting director, Simon Rolfes. In his tenure at Ajax Amsterdam, the 55-year-old coach won six titles, including three Eredivisie titles and two league cups. During his time at Manchester United in the Premier League, he won the League Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.
Rolfes lauded Ten Hag's track record, stating that his ideas about football align with those of Bayer 04. The club is keen to maintain its commitment to technically demanding and dominant football, with the aim of succeeding in the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League.
Ten Hag has expressed his excitement about the new challenge and the prospect of working with Bayer 04. Speaking about his decision to join the club, he praised the excellent conditions offered and was impressed by the ambition demonstrated by the club's management.
Prior to joining Ajax and Manchester United, Ten Hag managed Bayern Munich II from 2013 to 2015, gaining valuable experience in German football. He succeeds Xabi Alonso, who departed Bayer 04 for Real Madrid. There remains some uncertainty about the future of star players such as Florian Wirtz, who is linked with a transfer away from the club.
Ten Hag will begin preparations for the 2025/26 season with Bayer 04 on July 1, with the aim of institutionally confirming the club’s growing ambitions and developing an ambitious team during this period of change.
Erik ten Hag, the new head coach of Bayer 04 Leverkusen, brings a wealth of experience in European leagues, having managed Bayern Munich II in Germany and coachings teams in the Dutch Eredivisie and the English Premier League. His goal is to establish Bayer 04 as a dominant force in sports, aiming to triumph in the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League, similar to the technically demanding style he upheld at Ajax Amsterdam and Manchester United.
