Ten Hag joins Bayer Leverkusen as replacement for Xabi Alonso

LEVERKUSEN, Germany (AP) — Bayer Leverkusen has appointed former Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag as Xabi Alonso’s replacement.

The Bundesliga club said Monday that the 55-year-old Ten Hag had signed a contract through 2027, making his return to coaching after he was fired by United in October.

He inherits a team that finished second in the Bundesliga and reached the German Cup semifinals this season. Leverkusen won both competitions under Alonso the year before and became the first unbeaten Bundesliga champion ever. Alonso left to take over as Real Madrid coach.

“In the past they were always innovative, they were always at the forefront, but in the last years they took a step forward to win titles. That’s what I’ve always lived by throughout my career. I want to win,” Ten Hag said at his presentation. “But I also want to win in a certain way ... playing dominant, attractive football to get people excited.”

Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes said the club had tried to sign Ten Hag already in early 2021, when he was still coach of Dutch heavyweight Ajax. Ten Hag led Ajax to three Eredivisie titles, and the Champions League semifinals in entertaining style in 2019.

“It didn't work out, but now,” said Rolfes, who said Ten Hag's style of attacking soccer fits at Leverkusen very well.

“He has also shown time and again in the past, whether it is (former Ajax stars) Frenkie de Jong or Ryan Gravenberch, that he can develop talents to a top international level and that is also important for us, that we keep rewriting these stories a little bit,” Rolfes said.

“It's important for development that you always have a goal, and that’s our goal too. Erik has proven that by winning titles in recent years, having been very successful both at Ajax and Manchester United. And that’s something that always drives us to be successful,” Rolfes said.

Ten Hag won two domestic cups in his two and a half years in charge at United but was fired after the club’s worst start to a season, with four defeats in nine league games.

United’s subsequent troubles under Ten Hag’s successor Ruben Amorim helped restore its former coach’s reputation. Ten Hag was United’s fifth manager in nine years when he took over.

“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," Ten Hag said.

Ajax wanted to bring Ten Hag back as Francesco Farioli’s replacement after his team’s late-season meltdown allowed PSV Eindhoven clinch the Eredivisie title, but Ten Hag said talks with Leverkusen were at such an advanced stage that he didn't consider a return.

At Leverkusen, Ten Hag will be charged with maintaining the team’s upward trajectory under Alonso, though he will need to do it with a much-changed side. Rolfes, who said Leverkusen aims to finish among the Bundesliga's top four for Champions League participation, said there will be changes to the team.

Captain Jonathan Tah is leaving after not renewing his contract, star player Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong have been linked with Liverpool, and others have talked about leaving the club.

Rolfes confirmed Liverpool had been in touch about Wirtz but couldn't say whether he will stay or go, nor did he give any indication about what other players might join – just that he faces a busy summer ahead.

Ten Hag said he is relishing the challenge of a fresh start.

“That always happens when a team is so successful. Players will always be of interest and it's good. Players will definitely go, some are gone already, but I am certain we will have to build a new squad, and from that we will have to form a new team. That's a fantastic process,” he said.

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