German media make their feelings on Erik ten Hag clear after brutal Leverkusen sacking

Erik ten Hag has been sacked by Bayer Leverkusen after just two Bundesliga games in charge – and sections of the German media have given their reaction to his dismissal.

On Monday morning, Leverkusen confirmed Ten Hag's departure from his role as head coach.

"Bayer 04 has parted ways with head coach Erik ten Hag with immediate effect," a statement read. "The assistant coaching staff will temporarily take over training duties."

The 55-year-old was appointed Xabi Alonso's successor in May, but things quickly turned sour after Leverkusen made him the Bundesliga's second-highest paid manager on a reported £4.7 million-a-year.

He began his reign with a 4-0 win over fourth-tier side Sonnenhof Grossaspach in the DFB-Pokal – a result that brought enthusiasm from many.

However, the 2024 Bundesliga champions struggled against Hoffenheim and Werder Bremen in their opening two league games and the Dutchman was sacked, just three months into his stay.

German media react to Ten Hag sacking

He was only in charge for three months, but Ten Hag's stint at the Bay Arena has been heavily criticised.

Ten Hag has been sacked by Leverkusen after just three months in charge. Image credit: Getty

German publication BILD held nothing back. "The coach's list of mistakes was already too long after just three competitive games," they wrote on Monday.

"The former Man United coach has managed to lose credit internally in a very short time. There's no personal connection between him and the Werkself."

The report added: "Ten Hag's signing was ill-advised from the start. He was neither the first nor the second choice to succeed double-winner Xabi Alonso, who left for Real Madrid."

Kicker added: "The Dutchman's statements repeatedly caused head-shaking and squandered crucial credibility at all levels."

Sportschau, the German sports magazine and broadcaster, mentioned a lack of trust between Ten Hag and the Leverkusen squad.

"Bayer clearly had a lot of problems early on – on and off the pitch," they wrote. "Trust between the team and the coach was lacking. A sporting strategy, a game plan, was not discernible.

"Ten Hag's hope was that after the international break, at least the squad would finally be finalised. 'It'll all be over on Tuesday. Then we'll know which players we have,' said ten Hag."

"In retrospect, this sounds like a premonition," the publication added. "Because not only is the transfer window over, but so is ten Hag's tenure at the runners-up. Now it remains to be seen whether another coach will be better able to cope with the completely revamped Bayer squad."

Ten Hag is the third former Manchester United manager to be sacked in four days. Image credit: Getty

Dougie Critchley, who covers European football for Sky Sports, has sympathy for the former Manchester United manager.

He wrote on X: "I'm not Ten Hag's biggest fan, but appointing him in May, then selling 5 of your 8 most used players from last season, including your best player in Wirtz, one of your most experienced players in Xhaka, arguably the best right wing back in the world in Frimpong and your club captain in Hradecky, before sacking him 2 games into the season."

"I actually feel really sorry for him," added Critchley. "He's been let down by the hierarchy there."