Online Reporter
One year on from their stunning unbeaten Bundesliga title triumph, new Bayern Leverkusen coach Erik Ten Hag has been handed the task of rebuilding the club, along with his own reputation.
Leverkusen open their Bundesliga season at home against Hoffenheim tomorrow after a turbulent summer, with high-profile departures on and off the pitch, rendering the side unrecognisable from the 2023-24 double winners.
The architect of that success, Xabi Alonso, has moved on to Real Madrid and taken his backroom staff with him.
Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka, Jonathan Tah, Jeremie Frimpong and Lukas Hradecky —all pillars in Leverkusen’s double-winning season — also left this summer, with others rumoured to be heading out the door.
In their place are several exciting if inexperienced newcomers, including Jarell Quansah, Malik Tillman and Ernest Poku, with a few more reportedly on their way.
With his reputation taking a hit after a difficult spell at Manchester United, despite winning the FA Cup and League Cup, Ten Hag is also seeking a reboot.
The coach is confident but has asked for patience, saying it would take him a while to weave his magic.
In Ten Hag’s debut in the German Cup, Leverkusen overcame some early nerves — and a 45-minute storm interruption – to beat fourth-division Grossaspach 4-0.
The coach praised his charges after the win but said “you can see that not all the processes are working yet. It takes time.”
Away from the scrutiny he faced at Old Trafford, one of the world’s biggest clubs, Ten Hag will be given time at Leverkusen. —SuperSport.
