Erik ten Hag reportedly didn’t get on with anyone – even his own staff – ahead of his brutal sacking as Bayer Leverkusen coach last week.
The former Man United boss was shocked to have been axed in ‘unprecedented’ fashion by the Bundesliga side after just three games in charge.
He’d been handed a two-year contract by Leverkusen to replace the Real Madrid-bound Xabi Alonso in June, but failed to win either of his two league games. After a disappointing 2-1 loss to Hoffenheim on the opening day, Ten Hag’s men squandered a 3-1 lead against Werder Bremen at the weekend.
Club bosses pulled the plug on the Dutchman’s reign post-match, arguing that ‘the past few weeks have shown that building a new and successful team with this setup is not feasible.’
While news of his dismissal came as a shock to the footballing world, new details about his tenure in Germany reveal that those inside the club were likely not so surprised.
Tensions had been rising between Ten Hag and the hierarchy at Leverkusen as early as July, according to BILD, over the sale of Granit Xhaka.
The Swiss midfielder had reportedly struck an agreement with the club that he would be allowed to leave this summer, something the new boss very publicly vetoed.
‘It’s clear, Granit is a leader, he has signed here for five years and has three years left on his contract. He’s too important for us to let him go,’ he told reporters.
But just days later Xhaka was boarding a plane to the north-east to sign on the dotted line for Sunderland.
As the start of the Bundesliga drew nearer – a season in which Leverkusen would be competing without Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Jonathan Tah – the former Ajax boss is understood to have left players, and staff alike, bemused by his training sessions and tactics.
Ten Hag reportedly failed to successfully deliver instructions to his players, build relationships with his staff or keep his team engaged during training sessions.
Leverkusen’s squad questioned why the 55-year-old had such an insistence on making them do press-ups. In fact, press-ups were said to have been as important as running and passing during Ten Hag’s short reign.
Players were also left confused when their new manager decided against giving a speech in the dressing room ahead of their clash against Hoffenheim at the BayArena on the opening day of the season.
Such peculiar decisions from a manager who enjoyed such success during his four years at Ajax have left staff at Leverkusen questioning whether Ten Hag is the worst manager the club have had in the last two decades. To many, that’s indeed the case.
His appointment will ultimately have to go down as a mistake made by Leverkusen chiefs, and an expensive one at that.
He’s estimated to have received around £4,330,000 in severance pay upon his dismissal, meaning his 60 days in charge cost the club around £72,000 every single day.
Ten Hag nevertheless launched a staunch defense of himself following his sacking in a statement released via the SEG agency.
He said: ‘The decision by Bayer Leverkusen’s management this morning to put me on a leave of absence came as a complete surprise. To part ways with a coach after just two league matches is unprecedented.
‘This summer, many key players who were part of past successes left the squad. Building a new, cohesive team is a careful process that requires both time and trust.
‘A new coach deserves the space to implement his vision, set the standards, shape the squad and leave his mark on the style of play.
‘I started this job with full conviction and energy, but unfortunately the management was not willing to grant me the time and trust I needed, which I deeply regret.
‘I feel this was never a relationship based on mutual trust. Throughout my career, every season I have been able to see through to the end as a coach has brought success. Clubs that placed their trust in me have been rewarded with success.
‘Finally, I would like to thank the Bayer Leverkusen supporters for their warmth and passion, and I wish the squad and staff success for the remainder of the season.’
Where Ten Hag’s next job will be remains to be seen, but his stint at Leverkusen was certainly a damaging one.
