Bayer Leverkusen appoint Erik ten Hag as new head coach after Xabi Alonso departure

The 55-year-old Dutch mentor has signed a contract running through to June 2027 with the Bundesliga club.

It is Ten Hag's first job since he was dismissed as Manchester United coach in October 2024 after two-and-a-half years in charge at Old Trafford where he won the FA Cup and League Cup.

He inherits a team that finished second behind Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga and reached the German Cup semi-finals after winning both competitions under Alonso the season before.

Speaking in his first press conference after his appointment at Leverkusen, Ten Hag said: "Bayer is one of the best clubs in Germany and also belongs to the expanded European elite.

"The club offers excellent conditions, and the discussions with the officials have impressed me greatly.

"I have come to Leverkusen to confirm the ambitions that have grown over the past few years. It is an appealing task to build something together in this phase of change and to develop an ambitious team."

Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes added: "With Erik ten Hag, we are relying on an experienced coach with impressive sports successes. His six title wins with Ajax Amsterdam were exceptional.

"With three championships and two cup victories, he and Ajax dominated Dutch football unchallenged from 2018 to 2022. And even through the subsequent successes with Manchester United under sometimes difficult conditions, Erik has proven his quality as a coach.

"Our visions of football align. With technically demanding and dominant football, we want to pursue the highest goals in the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League."

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