This morning it was reported that Erik ten Hag was officially sacked by Bayern Leverkusen after just two games.
In a humiliating sacking, the Dutch manager was tasked with rejuvenating the German club after they lost their successful manager Xabi Alonso and key players such as: Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka, Jonthan Tah, Amine Adli and Jeremie Frimpong.
It was always going to be a tall task, but with this being the former Ajax manager’s first job after United, it is something of an embarrassment to be dismissed so early into his tenure.
Leverkusen lost their opener to Hoffenheim before blowing a 3-1 lead vs Werder Bremen, but whether this warranted Ten Hag to be sacked is up for debate.
The former Ajax manager won two domestic cups at United, spending over £600m on players. After a successful first season finishing 3rd in the Premier League and winning the Carabao Cup as well as appearing in an FA Cup Final, murmurs of discontent began to emerge in the United fan base in the season after.
Despite winning an FA Cup, it eventually wasn’t enough, as similar to his situation at Bayer Leverkusen, Ten Hag was sacked in the 24/25 Premier League season after losing 4 of his opening 9 matches.
From one sacking to another, Ten Hag has had a rough 12 months or so and had his say after being sacked by Leverkusen.
Erik ten Hag released a statement via his agency SEG Football: “I started this job with full conviction and energy, but unfortunately the management was not willing to grant me the time and trust I needed, which I deeply regret.”
The statement goes on: “The decision by Bayer Leverkusen’s management this morning to put me on a leave of absence came as a complete surprise. To part ways with a coach after just two league matches is unprecedented.”
The statement also mentioned the key players that left: “This summer, many players who were part of past successes left the squad. Building a new, cohesive team is a careful process that requires both time and trust.”
Two sackings in the space of 11 months is not a stat any manager wants to be associated with, but it’s something the Dutchman will have to contend with to continue his managerial career at his next club.
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