Bayer Leverkusen Fires Erik Ten Hag After Three Games

Erik ten Hag was unexpectedly dismissed as head coach of Bayer Leverkusen after just three games in charge, marking the fastest sacking in Bundesliga history. Hired in the summer to rebuild the team following the departure of former coach Xabi Alonso and several key players, Ten Hag faced immediate challenges, including conflicts with club management over transfer policies and visible discord among players during matches. Despite a 4-0 win in the German Cup, Leverkusen struggled in the league, earning only one point from two matches, including a loss to Hoffenheim and a draw against Werder Bremen where player commitment was questioned. Ten Hag expressed surprise and regret over the decision, emphasizing the lack of mutual trust and insufficient time granted to rebuild the squad effectively. The club cited difficulties in building a successful team under the current setup as the reason for the dismissal, and in the interim, assistant coaches will take over while the search for a new manager continues. This abrupt move also impacts players like Nigerian forwards Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella who are now without a manager.