Erik ten Hag (foto: Getty Images)
Erik ten Hag is close to replacing Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen, with negotiations advancing after Como ruled out releasing Cesc Fàbregas.
Erik ten Hag is reportedly in pole position to become the new head coach of Bayer Leverkusen, according to multiple sources including Sky Sports and Goal. The Bundesliga champions are searching for a successor to Xabi Alonso, who will step down this summer, and Ten Hag has emerged as the frontrunner after other options fell through.
Initially, Leverkusen targeted Cesc Fàbregas, currently in charge of Como, but the Italian side firmly rejected the possibility of letting their coach leave. As reported by Fabrizio Romano, “Como have told Bayer Leverkusen that they want to continue with Fàbregas. He was never close to leaving.”
That prompted Leverkusen to turn to a more straightforward option—Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman is without a club following his departure from Manchester United in October and is open to lowering his salary demands to return to the Bundesliga.
Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes confirmed that the club is close to making an appointment:
“No candidate has turned us down. We are in the final stages and expect to finalise the decision in May,” he told Sky.
Ten Hag brings a wealth of European experience, most notably from his successful stint at Ajax, where he led the club to multiple domestic titles and a memorable Champions League semi-final run in 2019. At Leverkusen, he’s seen as a natural fit—he speaks German, understands the Bundesliga landscape, and wouldn’t require compensation to be appointed.
While his time at Manchester United was marked by mixed results, many now view him as a victim of systemic problems at Old Trafford, especially as the club struggles under new manager Rúben Amorim.
Ten Hag’s reputation in Europe remains strong, and Leverkusen see him as someone who can maintain the club’s competitive edge both domestically and in Europe, following a historic treble-winning season under Alonso.