Former Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag is expected to become the new manager of German club Bayer Leverkusen starting Monday, May 26, 2025.
Ten Hag has been out of work since he was sacked by Manchester United in October 2024. Although he received several job offers, the Dutchman chose to take a break and only return to football this summer. Sources close to him told the BBC earlier this month that he planned to come back in July and was open to considering new opportunities.
Ten Hag will now take over from Spanish coach Xabi Alonso, who is widely expected to replace Carlo Ancelotti as the head coach of Real Madrid. Alonso led Leverkusen to their first-ever Bundesliga title in 2024, completing the season unbeaten. He also guided the team to a domestic double by winning the German Cup final against Kaiserslautern.
Despite not replicating the same outstanding form this season, Leverkusen still finished second in the Bundesliga and secured a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Ten Hag is not new to German football. He previously coached Bayern Munich’s reserve team between 2013 and 2015. The 55-year-old also had a successful spell at Manchester United, winning both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup. He finished third in the Premier League during the 2022–23 season.
However, his time at United ended on a low note. Although the club backed him for a time, especially after their surprise FA Cup final win over rivals Manchester City, he was dismissed on October 28, 2024, following a 2-1 defeat to West Ham United. Now, he will be looking for a fresh start in the Bundesliga with one of Germany’s rising clubs.
