Erik ten Hag’s turbulent start to life at Bayer Leverkusen has left him on the brink of the sack.
Just two Bundesliga matches into his reign, the former Manchester United manager is already under intense scrutiny after collecting only a single point and watching his side crumble in dramatic fashion.
Leverkusen, who entered the season with lofty expectations after the success of Xabi Alonso’s tenure, opened with a 2-1 home defeat to Hoffenheim despite an early strike from ex-Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah.
On Saturday things went from bad to worse. Facing a 10-man Werder Bremen, Ten Hag’s side squandered a 3-1 lead, conceding twice late on to draw 3-3 — a result that left fans furious and the club languishing in the lower half of the table.
Erik ten Hag’s turbulent start to life at Bayer Leverkusen has left him on the brink of the sack
|GETTY
German outlet Kicker claims that patience is already running thin in the boardroom, with no official backing offered to the Dutchman amid speculation he could be dismissed before September.
Such a drastic move would underline the pressure created by Alonso’s legacy: an unbeaten domestic double and a Europa League final in 2023–24, followed by a second-placed finish and a Champions League last-16 berth before he departed for Real Madrid.
After the collapse against Bremen, Ten Hag admitted his players were short of his expectations.
Speaking to Sky Germany, he said: “The players aren’t ready.
JUST IN: Joey Essex blasted over 'worst boxing match ever seen' despite former TOWIE star securing win
"We have a new team and some of the players aren’t at all fit enough to play.
"The team didn’t function at all during the final stage of the game. That’s just the way it is. They need to bring more intensity and get fitter in order to meet my standards.”
It has been a rocky few months for Ten Hag since taking the job in May.
His first pre-season outing ended in embarrassment as Leverkusen were thrashed 5-1 by Flamengo’s under-20s.
**SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY GB NEWS SPORTS NEWSLETTER HERE**
Erik ten Hag was only appointed as Xabi Alonso's replacement at Bayer Leverkusen earlier this summer
|GETTY
Although results improved with wins over smaller opposition and a comfortable 4-0 victory in the DFB-Pokal first round, doubts over his suitability quickly resurfaced once competitive fixtures began.
The 55-year-old had been out of work for seven months after being sacked by Manchester United last October.
Despite guiding United to a Carabao Cup triumph in his first full season and adding an FA Cup the following summer, he was dismissed after a dire start to last season.
His removal was particularly notable given that United had triggered a one-year extension to his contract only months earlier.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Erik ten Hag won two major trophies during his time at Manchester United
| PAUnited's struggles have, however, gone on since his departure.
Ruben Amorim was brought in as his replacement with big expectations, having worked wonders at Sporting Lisbon in Portugal.
But Amorim, after less than a year in the job, is already under huge pressure.
Manchester United have continued to struggle since the departure of Erik ten Hag with results and performances worsening under Ruben Amorim
| REUTERSUnited had, prior to Saturday's dramatic 3-2 victory over Burnley, failed to beat Arsenal, Fulham and Grimsby Town.
Wednesday's defeat to Grimsby, which came after the Red Devils had rallied from 2-0 down to force a penalty shootout, ranks as one of the worst evenings in the club's entire history.
Amorim has admitted he'll talk with United chiefs during the upcoming international break, with his long-term future at Old Trafford far from certain.