- Erik ten Hag is finalising a move to join Bayer Leverkusen, according to a report
- Ten Hag will replace Xabi Alonso, who is believed to be Real Madrid-bound
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Should Oliver Glasner leave Palace for Spurs?
Erik ten Hag has reached an agreement in principal to join Bayer Leverkusen as their next head coach, according to a report.
The former Manchester United manager would replace Xabi Alonso at the helm, who is expected to take the reigns over from Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid this summer.
Alonso confirmed at the start of the month that he will leave Leverkusen at the end of the season after nearly two-and-a-half years.
Ten Hag has not been in a job since being relieved of his duties at Old Trafford last October.
The 55-year old continues to be paid compensation by Man United and has been recharging in his home town in the Netherlands before leaping straight back into management.
But now, Ten Hag and Leverkusen are working on the final documents of their deal as the Dutchman nears a return to football, as per The Athletic.
Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly finalising a deal to sign Erik ten Hag as their head coach
Ten Hag would replace Xabi Alonso, who announced his departure at the start of the month
The Dutchman has been out of work since he was sacked by Manchester United last October
Ten Hag was dismissed earlier this season with Man United lying 14th in the Premier League after winning just four of their opening 14 matches.
His departure came despite the club triggering a one-year contract extension last summer.
Ten Hag’s extension followed him leading the club to the FA Cup, having also won the Carabao Cup in his first full season in charge.
He had previously served as coach of Bayern Munich’s second team between 2015 and 2017, when Pep Guardiola led the senior side.
Ten Hag then enjoyed an impressive spell at Utrecht, before leading Ajax to three consecutive Dutch titles and the 2019 Champions League semi-finals.
At Man United, Ten Hag won 70 of his 128 games in charge – a 54.69 per cent win rate – the third-highest win rate of any manager to oversee 100 game or more in the club’s history.
His predecessor at Leverkusen guided the club to the Bundesliga title last season, going undefeated in the process.
However, Alonso’s side have been beaten to the title by Bayern Munich this time around.
Ten Hag won two trophies in two full seasons at United – the 2023 EFL Cup and 2024 FA Cup
As Leverkusen manager, Alonso has taken charge of 140 games, winning 88 of them – just under an impressive 63 per cent win rate.
As well as being voted the Bundesliga’s coach of the season last year, the Spaniard was also crowned ‘Best Coach of the Year’ by Globe Soccer in 2024.
His efforts in Germany are expected to land him the Los Blancos job this summer, with Ancelotti set to join the Brazil national team.
Alonso may even be in charge by the time the Club World Cup kicks off in mid-June.
