Erik ten Hag under pressure at Bayer Leverkusen after poor start in Bundesliga
Erik ten Hag is facing mounting pressure at Bayer Leverkusen just two games into the Bundesliga season.
The former Manchester United manager has seen his team pick up only one point from their opening two matches, leaving the Dutch coach under intense scrutiny from the club hierarchy and fans alike.
Leverkusen’s season got off to a disastrous start with a 2-1 home loss to Hoffenheim, followed by a chaotic 3-3 draw against Werder Bremen.
In that second match, the team surrendered a two-goal lead late on despite having ten men, raising questions about the side’s fitness and cohesion under ten Hag.
Reports from Germany suggest that club management has grown increasingly critical of ten Hag’s approach.
Neither sporting director Simon Rolfes nor other officials have publicly backed the coach, fueling speculation that his time in Germany could be cut short.
Kicker journalist Stephan van Nocks hinted that while no final decision has been made yet, Leverkusen may decide ten Hag’s fate once the summer transfer window closes.
Inside the team, there are signs of tension. Newly appointed captain Robert Andrich expressed frustration after the Werder Bremen game, saying the players were too focused on individual play rather than working as a cohesive unit.
Ten Hag himself admitted that some of the squad were not physically ready for competitive football.
“The players aren’t ready. We have a new team and some of the players aren’t at all fit enough to play,” ten Hag said after the draw. “They need to bring more intensity and get fitter in order to meet my standards. After the international break, we face real competition and must perform as a team.”
Despite the early setbacks, ten Hag remains determined to stay and oversee the rebuilding process.
His contract with Leverkusen runs until 2027, giving him time to try and turn things around.
However, results must improve quickly if he is to avoid being relieved of his duties.
Leverkusen will return to Bundesliga action after the international break, hosting Eintracht Frankfurt on September 12, before opening their Champions League campaign against Copenhagen.
How the team performs in these fixtures could determine whether ten Hag remains in charge or faces an early exit from the BayArena.
