'No excuse' - Erik ten Hag facing sack after just two games at Bayer Leverkusen
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Credit: Imago
Ciaran Morrison
Sun 31 August 2025 13:40, UK
Erik ten Hag could be sacked at Bayer Leverkusen just two games into the new Bundesliga season.
The former Manchester United manager was replaced by Ruben Amorim after two-and-a-half years at Old Trafford, where won the FA Cup and League Cup in his time at the club.
Ten Hag joined Leverkusen in the summer, replacing Xabi Alonso who became the new boss at Real Madrid.
Leverkusen have lost Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong to Liverpool, whilst former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka joined Sunderland.
Credit: Getty Images
Two defeats from their opening two Bundesliga matches has already put pressure on ten Hag to turn around results.
Leverkusen began the campaign with a 2-1 home defeat to Hoffenheim before drawing 3-3 away at Werder Bremen.
According to Patrick Berger on X [31 August], “an immediate sacking of Erik ten Hag at Bayer Leverkusen is possible.”
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Berger states there is “growing criticism of his approach, structure and communication.”
However, a decision over ten Hag’s future will not be taken before transfer deadline day, with the rebuild not counting as an excuse.
Credit: Imago
Football Insider Verdict
The loss of key players at Leverkusen has left Ten Hag with a weaker squad in which he originally inherited.
Ten Hag has not been able to replace players of such high quality, and could be sacked for not winning his opening two Bundesliga games.
The Dutchman’s reputation following his spell at Manchester United could be tarnished by this decision.
Erik ten HagStatsGames Managed128Games Won70Games Drew23Games Lost35Erik ten Hag’s managerial record at Manchester United in all competitions.
With the international break about to come into force, Leverkusen chiefs will have two weeks to make a decision on ten Hag after deadline day and have enough time to find a replacement.