Real Madrid Icon Emerges as Top Candidate to Take Over From Erik ten Hag at Bayer Leverkusen

Ex-Real Madrid Castilla coach Raúl is said to be among the leading contenders to assume control of Bayer Leverkusen after Erik ten Hag's departure.

Bayer Leverkusen provided Xabi Alonso with a farewell worthy of a club icon at the conclusion of the previous campaign. The Spanish tactician, who guided the German side to their maiden Bundesliga championship in 2023–24, departed to succeed Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid.

Requiring a new head coach, Bayer Leverkusen secured Ten Hag on a two-year deal prior to the 2025–26 campaign. However, the ex-Manchester United manager survived just three official matches before the club terminated his contract on Sept. 1 following a series of disappointing performances in both preseason and league play.

Bayer Leverkusen find themselves searching once more for a genuine replacement for Alonso and appear to have focused on another Real Madrid icon. Per Mundo Deportivo, Raúl stands as a leading contender to helm the German club.

The 48-year-old departed Real Madrid Castilla after the 2024–25 campaign concluded and remains without a new role. Any aspirations Raúl harbored of managing the senior team were extinguished when the club selected Alonso.

Nevertheless, Raúl made his mark with the reserve squad, where he served as manager for six seasons. The Spanish coach aided in nurturing Real Madrid's emerging talents, including FIFA Club World Cup sensation Gonzalo García.

The report indicates Marco Rose and Edin Terzić are also being considered for the Bayer Leverkusen position, creating competition for Raúl should he pursue the role. Notably, he remains the sole candidate among the trio without experience leading a team in Europe's premier leagues.

Bayer Leverkusen would be making a bold move by hiring Los Blancos' third-highest scorer of all time, though their previous gamble on a former Real Madrid player proved successful.