Manchester City face late Bayer Leverkusen twist as Champions League schedule looms | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City players face the prospect of taking on a Bayer Leverkusen side guided by a brand new manager, it has been confirmed.

City already knew the German champions would present one of their toughest tests in the Champions League league phase, with the two clubs set to meet at the Etihad Stadium in late November.

Now, however, Guardiola’s preparations will be complicated further by the uncertainty surrounding Leverkusen’s touchline leadership, after the Bundesliga side confirmed a managerial departure just months into the season.

The clash between City and Leverkusen was already one of the standout ties of the group calendar, with the Premier League giants facing a packed European schedule that also includes fixtures against the likes of Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Napoli, and Galatasaray.

But as confirmed by Bayer Leverkusen’s official club channels on Monday, the Bundesliga side have parted ways with head coach Erik ten Hag after just a matter of months in charge with the German outfit.

Sporting director, Simon Rolfes said of the announcement, “This decision has not been easy for us. No one wanted this step. However, the past weeks have shown that building a new and successful team in this lineup cannot be designed in a goal-oriented manner.

“We firmly believe in the quality of our team and will now do everything to take the next steps in development in a new configuration.”

Offering his own views, Fernando Carro – Chairman of the Executive Board – said, “A separation at this early point in the season is painful, but from our perspective, it was necessary.

“Our claim remains to achieve the set season goals – for that, we need the best possible conditions, at all levels and throughout the entire licensed area. Now it’s about reinstating and utilising these conditions fully again.”

For City, the news creates a new layer of unpredictability. Guardiola is no stranger to preparing for opponents in flux, but the arrival of a new Leverkusen manager could bring fresh energy, tactical adjustments, and added determination when the sides meet in Manchester on 25 November.

With Real Madrid away just two weeks later, Manchester City will be eager to secure maximum points at home against the Bundesliga club before a high-stakes visit to the Santiago Bernabéu.

Much may depend on how quickly Bayer Leverkusen stabilise under new management and whether their talented squad can respond positively to the upheaval.

For now, the Etihad Stadium clash remains one of the most intriguing fixtures of the league phase, as Manchester City look to navigate a demanding schedule and maintain momentum in their push for another deep run in Europe.