Erik ten Hag secures first job since Manchester United exit as he takes charge at Bayer Leverkusen

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·26 May 2025

Erik ten Hag secures first job since Manchester United exit as he takes charge at Bayer Leverkusen

Ten Hag replaces new Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso in the Leverkusen dugout

Back to work: Erik ten Hag has taken charge at Bayer Leverkusen

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Ten Hag has been out of work since he was sacked by Manchester United in October last year, but has landed a top job and will lead Leverkusen in the Champions League next season.

The Dutchman has signed a contract through to 2027, ending Leverkusen’s search for a new manager after Alonso left to club to take charge at Real Madrid.

Ten Hag’s job will be made more difficult, though, by the expected summer departure of two key players.

Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz, crucial to Leverkusen’s success over the last two seasons, are both set to complete moves to Liverpool.

Speaking about his new appointment, Ten Hag told the Leverkusen website: "Bayer are one of the best clubs in Germany and also among the top clubs in Europe.

"The club offers outstanding conditions, I've been very impressed with the discussions of the management. I've come to Leverkusen to continue with the ambition shown in recent years.

"It's an attractive challenge to set up something together in this period of change and develop an ambitious team."

The 55-year-old Dutchman takes over Leverkusen following a hugely successful spell under Spaniard Alonso, who led the club to the 2023/24 Bundesliga title without losing a game as part of a league and cup double.

This season Leverkusen finished runners-up in the Bundesliga, 13 points behind champions Bayern Munich.

Ten Hag had previous managerial experience at Go Ahead Eagles, Bayern Munich II and Utrecht before taking charge of Ajax in January 2018, where he oversaw three Eredivisie title triumphs before leaving for Old Trafford.

Leverkusen sporting managing director Simon Rolfes added: "With Erik ten Hag we have brought in an experienced coach with impressive success on the pitch. His six title wins at Ajax were exceptional.

"With three league titles and two domestic cup wins he and Ajax dominated Dutch football from 2018 to 2022. And Erik demonstrated his quality as a coach with the ensuing success at Manchester United under difficult circumstances at times.

"Our ideas of football coincide. With technically demanding and dominant football, we want to carry on in the Werkself style and aim for the highest targets in the Bundesliga, DFB Pokal and Champions League."

Ten Hag will officially start in his new role on July 1.

Additional reporting by PA Sport.