Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen have sacked Erik ten Hag after two league matches in charge, making it the fastest managerial sacking in the competition’s history.
The former Manchester United boss, appointed on July 1 following his Old Trafford exit in October 2024, departs just weeks into a two-year contract.
His short-lived tenure follows a difficult start, with Leverkusen earning only one point from two matches: a 2-1 home defeat to Hoffenheim and a 3-3 draw with 10-man Werder Bremen after leading 2-0 and 3-1.
“Nobody wanted to take this step,” managing director Simon Rolfes said in a club statement. “But the past few weeks have shown that building a new and successful team with this set-up is not feasible.”
Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro added, “A parting of ways at this early stage is painful, but necessary. We remain committed to our goals for the season, and to achieve that, we need the best possible conditions across the first team.”
Leverkusen, who enjoyed their most successful season in their history under Xabi Alonso with an unbeaten domestic double in 2023/24, underwent a major squad overhaul this summer.
Key players, including Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka, Jonathan Tah, Jeremie Frimpong, Amine Adli, and Lukas Hradecky, all departed, leaving Ten Hag with the task of a rapid rebuild.
The Dutchman’s reign, however, lasted just two Bundesliga matches and one German Cup win against lower-league Sonnenhof Grossaspach.
