Erik Ten Hag Faces Immediate Axe Just Three Games Into New Role After Manchester United Exit

Ex-Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag faces potential immediate termination at Bayer Leverkusen, as reported by several German media outlets.

The Netherlands tactician managed 128 matches across just over two seasons before his departure from Old Trafford. However, his tenure replacing Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen could end after merely three fixtures.

Ten Hag joined a squad that secured second place behind Bayern Munich last term, following their historic undefeated Bundesliga triumph under Alonso in 2023–24. Yet the team's foundation has been dismantled during the summer transfer window. Keeper Lukas Hradecky, influential center-back Jonathan Tah, and dynamic wing-back Jeremie Frimpong departed the defensive unit, while Granit Xhaka and creative maestro Florian Wirtz also made moves to English football.

Arsenal target Piero Hincapié represents another potential departure through the same exit that Ten Hag might soon use.

Following a disappointing pre-season highlighted by a stunning 5–1 loss to Flamengo's youth team, Leverkusen progressed past fourth-division Sonnenhof Großaspach in the DFB Pokal's second round. Ten Hag's squad then suffered a disappointing 2–1 defeat against relegation-threatened Hoffenheim, followed by an even more devastating 3–3 stalemate with Werder Bremen on Saturday.

Holding a 3–1 advantage against 10 players with merely 15 minutes remaining, Leverkusen incredibly managed to secure just one point this weekend.

German publication kicker suggests that Leverkusen's public silence regarding their manager following this meltdown indicates the club's approaching decision to separate from a coach hired only on July 1. Sky Germany adopts a more cautious approach, recognizing Ten Hag's precarious situation while emphasizing that no final verdict has been reached.

Following the Bremen disaster, Ten Hag worried that his team "stopped operating as a collective unit." Team captain Robert Andrich mirrored his coach's concerns almost word-for-word: "We need to begin playing as a unified group right now, or we won't secure any victories."

Ten Hag experienced an even more challenging beginning at Manchester United. The Dutch manager witnessed a 2–1 home loss to Brighton before suffering a crushing 4–0 defeat at Brentford, making him the first United boss since John Chapman in 1921 to lose both opening fixtures. Ten Hag not only retained his position but captured the EFL Cup and achieved third place that campaign.