Rolfes speaks on Ten Hag sacking | OneFootball

Bayer Leverkusen shocked the German football community this morning with the decision to sack Erik ten Hag after just two Bundesliga matches in charge at the BayArena.

Speaking to Sky Sports on deadline day, Leverkusen managing director of sport Simon Rolfes gave his thoughts on the dismissal of the Dutchman, saying: “We felt that everything was heading in the wrong direction.”

Die Werkself lost their opening match of the 2025/26 campaign against Hoffenheim, before letting a two-goal lead slip to draw 3-3 against Werder Bremen at Weserstadion.

Rolfes added that: “This conclusion was based on our impressions during pre-season and the first few games,” saying that “the direction was unclear!”

“It would have been a big mistake just to let things continue as they were, and we have to admit that the constellation didn't work out the way we had imagined.”

Following the current international break, Leverkusen welcome Eintracht Frankfurt to the BayArena for a huge Friday night clash - a far from ideal start for any new manager coming through the door, with Frankfurt scoring seven goals across their opening two Bundesliga matches.