Ten Hag secures new job: Appointment of ex-Man Utd boss 'as good as done'

Tom Weber

Updated: 2 May 2025 03:02 CDT
4 min read

Erik ten Hag, Bayer Leverkusen — © IMAGO

Erik ten Hag is set to be appointed as the new Bayer Leverkusen head coach as negotiations with the Dutchman could already be 'as good as done,' according to German media.

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The former Manchester United manager has emerged as the top option to fill the big shoes of Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen. The Basque is expected to return to Real Madrid this summer to succeed Carlo Ancelotti in the dugout.

Leverkusen have been urging Alonso to make a quick decision on his future, but the entire process has been held up by Real Madrid and Ancelotti failing to agree on the conditions of his contract termination, putting the Italian's appointment as head coach of Brazil's men's national team in doubt.

Ancelotti is still expected to depart Los Blancos shortly, but the delay has not been well-received at Leverkusen, who want clarity to be able to properly plan for next season. The first major signing has already been made, with highly-rated 19-year-old Ibrahim Maza joining from Hertha BSC.

Leverkusen to appoint Ten Hag

The German side have a history of well-preparedness when it comes to their coaching appointments. Leverkusen usually have a successor lined up before the previous manager is officially out the door.

They are keen for another seamless transition and have homed in on Ten Hag this week. At the start of the week, their interest first became known to the public, and things have progressed massively over the past 48 hours.

On Thursday evening, Sky Germany reiterated that Ten Hag is one of the top candidates, but Kicker, the outlet that initially broke the news, goes even further and suggests that talks with the 55-year-old are 'at the very least well advanced and possibly already as good as done.'

Ten Hag has become the absolute top priority target for Bayer, and it seems that it is only a matter of time before he can be considered the club's new head coach. The Dutchman previously worked in Germany as the head coach of Bayern Munich's reserve side.

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