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Analysis
- 1 minutes ago
Erik ten Hag CLOSE to joining European giants - Romano
Cameron Smith
- 23 May 2025 10:40 BST
- 4 min read
News
Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has reportedly accepted Bayer Leverkusen’s proposal ahead of a possible return to management this summer.
The Dutchman has been out of work since being sacked by Man Utd last October, however he is close to sealing a return to the dugout ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
Ten Hag, 55, has been heavily linked with the vacant Bayer Leverkusen job since confirmation of Xabi Alonso’s exit, and he has now accepted a move to the Bundesliga side, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The transfer expert posted on X: “Understand Erik ten Hag said yes to Bayer Leverkusen project on a two year contract.
“He’s now waiting for club decision as they spoke to several candidates, but ETH gives priority to Bayer 04, with Ajax waiting in the background.”
A return to Ajax has been mooted as an option for Ten Hag, following Francesco Farioli’s departure after their late Eredivisie collapse, however he is seemingly eager to test himself at Leverkusen.
The German giants finished runners-up behind Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga this season, but they are set for a major rebuild during the summer transfer window.
Jeremie Frimpong is on the verge of joining Liverpool for a measly €35 million, Florian Wirtz is expected to join either Bayern or Liverpool and Jonathan Tah will depart on a Bosman deal.
Furthermore, the departure of the aforementioned Alonso to Real Madrid will likely have a major impact at the BayArena.
Erik ten Hag at Man Utd
If Ten Hag is appointed as the new Bayer Leverkusen boss this summer, it will mark his first job since an ill-fated spell at Man Utd.
The former Ajax manager spent just over two years at Old Trafford and he guided them to Carabao Cup glory during his first season and FA Cup success the following campaign.
However, Man Utd suffered their worst ever Premier League finishing position to date in 2023-24 (eighth), while he was sacked in late October after amassing just 11 points from a possible 27 to start the new season.
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