Rogier Meijer in talks to join Bayer Leverkusen as Ten Hag’s assistant

Bayer Leverkusen are closing in on appointing a second assistant coach to support newly hired manager Erik Ten Hag, with Dutch coach Rogier Meijer currently in discussions with Die Werkself.

According to reports from Bild, Leverkusen are keen to add the 43-year-old to their backroom staff. If the move goes through, Meijer would be the third Dutchman on Ten Hag’s coaching team, alongside Andries Ulderink, who has already agreed to join after his stint as head coach at Royal Antwerp.

Meijer recently stepped down as NEC Nijmegen head coach after five years at the helm. During his time with the club, he led NEC to promotion to the Eredivisie in 2021, reached the Dutch Cup final in 2024 – narrowly losing to Feyenoord – and guided them to the Conference League play-offs this past season.

NEC ultimately just fell short of qualifying, losing in extra time to FC Twente in the semi-finals. 

With Ten Hag’s arrival confirmed in late May, Leverkusen made it clear that additional staff appointments would follow. The club’s coaching shake-up comes after former assistants Sebastian Parrilla and Alberto Encinas followed Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid. 

The potential addition of Meijer would restore the staff’s depth while also ensuring a team rich in top-level coaching experience. 

If Meijer signs on, he’ll bring both tactical acumen and valuable head coaching experience to a Leverkusen side preparing for a new regime.