Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has been appointed the new manager of Bayer Leverkusen.
The German club have announced that Ten Hag has signed an initial two-year contract, replacing Xabi Alonso after he joined Real Madrid.
The Dutchman was chosen by Leverkusen after they were unable to prise preferred candidate Cesc Fabregas away from Italian side Como following talks between the two clubs.
Ten Hag, 55, has been out of work since October when he was sacked by United.
Having joined the Red Devils from Ajax in 2022, Ten Hag won two trophies – the League Cup and FA Cup – over the course of his tumultuous tenure.
Ten Hag’s position was under threat last season following an eighth-place finish before United’s new hierarchy decided on keeping him.
The ex-Ajax, Utrecht and Go Ahead Eagles boss was then backed with £200million in the summer, but failure to improve results led to his dismissal. Ten Hag was patient after departing Old Trafford, focussing on ventures outside of football.
It’s understood that he wanted to wait until the summer to return to management. And his patience has paid off with a move to former Bundesliga champions Leverkusen.
Ten Hag said: “Bayer 04 are one of the best clubs in Germany and also among the top clubs in Europe. The club offers outstanding conditions, I’ve been very impressed with the discussions of the management.
I have come to Leverkusen to continue with the ambition shown in recent years. It’s an attractive challenge to set up something together in this period of change and develop an ambitious team.”
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Unfortunately for the 55-year-old, he’s set to miss out on the chance to coach some of Leverkusen’s best players who helped them win the title in 2024.
Defender Jonathan Tah has opted not to sign a new contract and will join Bayern Munich on a free transfer.
Meanwhile, star attacker Florian Wirtz and highly-rated wing-back Jeremie Frimpong are both in talks to join Liverpool, potentially banking Leverkusen close to £150m.
It’s not the first time that Ten Hag has worked in Germany. He spent two seasons in charge of Bayern’s reserves between 2013 and 2015, learning from then-first-team manager Pep Guardiola.
