Featured Image Credit: Christof Koepsel / Stringer via Getty
Topics: Erik Ten Hag, Bayer Leverkusen, Football, Bundesliga, Manchester United, Xabi Alonso, Man Utd
James Taylor
Topics: Erik Ten Hag, Bayer Leverkusen, Football, Bundesliga, Manchester United, Xabi Alonso, Man Utd
Erik ten Hag cost Bayer Leverkusen an eye-watering sum each day as his payout is confirmed.
After just two Bundesliga games, the German giants have already decided to part ways with the former Manchester United boss.
Ten Hag's reign began with a 2-1 defeat at home to Hoffenheim, before a dramatic collapse against Werder Bremen last weekend. His side blew a 3-1 lead against 10 men to draw 3-3, with the hosts bagging a 94th minute equaliser.
According to SPORT BILD, a fire clause was written into ten Hag's contract, which means his departure will ultimately cost Bayer €100,000 (£87,100) per day.
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Although it was costly error by the club, the hierarchy may argue that cutting the ties early was preferable to avoid the situation deteriorating further.
It was a summer of change for Bayer Leverkusen. After losing head coach Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid, they also saw several key players depart.
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Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong left for Premier League champions Liverpool, while Amine Adli and captain Granit Xhaka also moved to England.
Long-serving goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky joined Monaco, while Jonathan Tah signed for Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
Despite the exodus, Bayer Leverkusen reinvested heavily and spent €198m (£172m).
That included the signings of Malik Tillman from PSV Eindhoven and Jarell Quansah from Liverpool.
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For ten Hag, his short stint in Germany is the latest setback in a stuttering career. After spells with Go Ahead Eagles, Bayern Munich's reserves and Utrecht, he was able to establish himself at Ajax.
There, he won three Eredivisie titles and led the club on a sensational run to the Champions League semi-finals, which included famous victories over Real Madrid and Juventus.
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That success earned him the Manchester United boss, where he won the Carabao Cup in his first season.
An injury crisis disrupted his second year, but he still won silverware with a sensational victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final
After another disappointing start to the season last year, he was dismissed by United's new executives.
Although his latest spell in Germany may be embarrassing for a manager of ten Hag's calibre, it is unlikely to have a significant impact on his future prospects.
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Ten Hag's sacking rounded off a tough week for former Manchester United bosses, as Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Jose Mourinho lost their jobs in Turkey.