OFFICIAL: Erik Ten Hag Sacked By Bayer Leverkusen After Just Three Matches

Bayer Leverkusen have dismissed Erik Ten Hag after only three competitive games in charge, making his exit the fastest managerial sacking in Bundesliga history. The Dutchman, who signed a contract in July 2025 intended to run until 2027, was removed from his position on September 1, 2025, following a turbulent start to the season.

Ten Hag’s short spell began with a 4-0 victory in the DFB-Pokal, but disappointment quickly followed in the Bundesliga. Leverkusen lost their opening league fixture at home to Hoffenheim before throwing away a 3-1 lead in a dramatic 3-3 draw with Werder Bremen. The collapse, which saw Bremen equalise in stoppage time despite being reduced to ten men, intensified scrutiny of the team’s direction under his leadership.

The club also faced significant upheaval during the summer transfer window. Several key players, including Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Granit Xhaka, Lukas Hradecky, Jonathan Tah, and Amine Adli, departed the BayArena. Despite heavy investment of nearly €200 million on new signings such as Jarell Quansah, Malik Tillman, Eliesse Ben Seghir, Loïc Badé, and Mark Flekken, cohesion on the pitch remained elusive. Sporting director Simon Rolfes admitted, “Building a new and successful team with this setup is not feasible,” while CEO Fernando Carro described the decision to part ways with Ten Hag as “painful, but necessary.”

The fallout has highlighted fractures within the squad, with captain Robert Andrich openly criticising the lack of unity, saying, “Everyone played for themselves. The disastrous final phase against Bremen was a symbol of our current situation.” Ten Hag’s dismissal adds to a difficult week for former Manchester United managers, as José Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjær were also sacked by their respective clubs, Fenerbahce and Besiktas.