(Credit: Imago)

Ciaran Morrison

Sun 31 August 2025 13:40, UK

Erik ten Hag could be sacked at Bayer Leverkusen just two games into the new Bundesliga season.

The former Manchester United manager was replaced by Ruben Amorim after two-and-a-half years at Old Trafford, where won the FA Cup and League Cup in his time at the club.

Ten Hag joined Leverkusen in the summer, replacing Xabi Alonso who became the new boss at Real Madrid.

Leverkusen have lost Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong to Liverpool, whilst former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka joined Sunderland.

Erik ten Hag sack decision to be made after transfer window shuts

Two defeats from their opening two Bundesliga matches has already put pressure on ten Hag to turn around results.

Leverkusen began the campaign with a 2-1 home defeat to Hoffenheim before drawing 3-3 away at Werder Bremen.

According to Patrick Berger on X [31 August], “an immediate sacking of Erik ten Hag at Bayer Leverkusen is possible.”

Berger states there is “growing criticism of his approach, structure and communication.”

However, a decision over ten Hag’s future will not be taken before transfer deadline day, with the rebuild not counting as an excuse.

Loss of key players hurts Erik Ten Hag

Football Insider Verdict

The loss of key players at Leverkusen has left Ten Hag with a weaker squad in which he originally inherited.

Wirtz was influential in attack, whilst Xhaka provided leadership in midfield and Frimpong was an attacking threat from right-back.

Ten Hag has not been able to replace players of such high quality, and could be sacked for not winning his opening two Bundesliga games.

The Dutchman’s reputation following his spell at Manchester United could be tarnished by this decision.

With the international break about to come into force, Leverkusen chiefs will have two weeks to make a decision on ten Hag after deadline day and have enough time to find a replacement.