Erik ten Hag’s return to management with Bayer Leverkusen has already hit a rocky patch, just two matches into the 2025–26 season.
A 2‑1 defeat by Hoffenheim in his Bundesliga debut has reportedly cast shadows early on a tenure that began with lofty expectations.
Just three months ago, Leverkusen officially confirmed Ten Hag – fresh from his dismissal at Manchester United – as the successor to Xabi Alonso.
The appointment, on a contract running through 2027, was greeted with optimism given his experience in the Netherlands and England.
Pre-season begun with a jarring 5‑1 defeat to Flamengo’s Under 20 side. While the result could have been downplayed as irrelevant to competitive form, the humiliation lingered.
Ten Hag’s first competitive outing offered only a slight reprieve, as Leverkusen brushed aside lower-tier Sonnenhof Großaspach 4‑0 in the DFB‑Pokal.
There is reportedly early scepticism over Erik ten Hag after a rough start at Bayer Leverkusen
Leverkusen fell to a 2-1 defeat in their Bundesliga opener against Hoffenheim on the weekend
Yet even that came with caveats – Ten Hag noted plenty still needed improving amid a substantial squad overhaul.
Then came the Bundesliga curtain-raiser at the BayArena against Hoffenheim, where the cracks began to widen.
Jarell Quansah headed in an early opener, but Hoffenheim struck back with Fisnik Asllani equalising and then playing him in for Tim Lemperle’s winner in the 52nd minute.
As per Dutch outlet Kicker, there is already scepticism over Ten Hag’s early work at the club.
‘Clearly, I’m disappointed,’ said the Dutchman after the result. ‘It was a game of few chances and Hoffenheim were more effective.
‘We did not get into the final third of the pitch often enough. We have a lot of work ahead of us, which is not unexpected.’
Rivals Bayern Munich kicked off their campaign in resounding style with a 6‑0 win over RB Leipzig – further illuminating the gap between Leverkusen’s expectations and reality.
Now, attention shifts to the upcoming fixture at Werder Bremen on Saturday.
