Ten Hag officially named new Leverkusen coach

Erik ten Hag has officially been appointed as the new head coach of Bayer Leverkusen, succeeding Xabi Alonso.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have found their successor for Xabi Alonso, who has left the club to join Real Madrid.

On Monday, Die Werkself officially announced the appointment of Erik ten Hag as their new head coach. 

The former Ajax and Manchester United coach has signed a contract with the club until 2027.

“With Erik ten Hag we have brought in an experienced coach with impressive success on the pitch. His six title wins at Ajax were exceptional,” said Bayer 04 managing director for sport Simon Rolfes.

“With three league titles and two domestic cup wins he and Ajax dominated Dutch football from 2018 to 2022. And Erik demonstrated his quality as a coach with the ensuing success at Manchester United under difficult circumstances at times.

“Our ideas of football coincide. With technically demanding and dominant football, we want to carry on in the Werkself style and aim for the highest targets in the Bundesliga, DFB Pokal and Champions League.”

Ten Hag, who has been out of work since his dismissal from Manchester United in October 2024, shared his excitement about the new challenge.

“Bayer 04 are one of the best clubs in Germany and also among the top clubs in Europe. The club offers outstanding conditions, I’ve been very impressed with the discussions of the management,” he said.

“I’ve come to Leverkusen to continue with the ambition shown in recent years. It’s an attractive challenge to set up something together in this period of change and develop an ambitious team.”