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Erik ten Hag already at risk of sack after disastrous Leverkusen start
Tom Weber
- Updated: 30 Aug 2025 18:28 BST
- 5 min read
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Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is already under pressure at Bayer Leverkusen after a poor start to the campaign.
The Dutchman took charge of Leverkusen earlier this summer after several months out of work following his sacking by Man Utd in late October 2024.
Ten Hag succeeded Bayer legend Xabi Alonso, who had led the club to an unbeaten domestic double in 2023/24, and the 55-year-old's stint got off to the worst possible start.
Leverkusen were beaten 5-0 by Flamengo's U20s in Ten Hag's first friendly in charge, and competitive results haven't been much better so far. Although fourth-tier side Grossaspach were easily defeated in the DFB-Pokal, Leverkusen are winless after two Bundesliga games.
Ten Hag's men lost their season opener to Hoffenheim after a 1-0 lead, yet Saturday's draw with Werder Bremen was arguably even more disappointing.
Ten Hag under pressure at Bayer
Bremen have endured a difficult summer, are ravaged by injuries and looked completely out of sorts ahead of their game with Leverkusen, who once again stormed into an early lead.
Bayer had a 2-1 advantage at half-time and even made it 3-1 from the penalty spot in the 64th minute after Bremen defender Niklas Stark was sent off. Ten Hag's side should have been cruising, but they inexplicably collapsed, with Bremen making it 3-3 in the 94th minute after an epic comeback.
It is a result that has piled the pressure on Ten Hag, who was already the subject of speculation prior to kick-off. Despite only being in charge for a few games, reports in Germany suggest that there is growing friction between the Dutchman and the club hierarchy.
Ten Hag was reportedly kept out of the loop about the signing of Real Madrid legend Lucas Vazquez, and club chiefs are not happy with how he goes about his work.
Kicker described the situation as 'critical' before the Bremen clash, and it is not difficult to imagine that the mood has soured considerably after another disastrous performance.
Ten Hag's statements in the media also give little cause for optimism, with the former Red Devils boss not exuding confidence or enthusiasm. He has already twice wheeled out his 'I'm not Harry Potter' line, which he had also employed at Man Utd when things were going wrong.
Of course, it hasn't been easy for Ten Hag, who has had to get a tune out of a team that has been completely dis- and then reassembled this summer, with a host of key players departing and more, like Piero Hincapie and potentially Edmond Tapsoba, still to follow suit.
However, the situation is far from rosy for a manager who has a tarnished reputation after his Man Utd failure. He is unlikely to be sacked this early in the season, but the pressure on Ten Hag is already reaching fever pitch.
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