"Candidates under consideration for Ten Hag's potential replacement"

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In a surprising turn of events, Bayer Leverkusen has announced the dismissal of coach Erik ten Hag, making history as the first club in Bundesliga history to do so within two months of winning the championship.

The decision, made after a series of disappointing results, was not a "knee-jerk reaction," according to sporting director Simon Rolfes. "We felt things were going in the wrong direction," he explained, "with many new players and a need for clarity and a clear direction."

Ten Hag's tenure began on July 1, 20XX, following Xabi Alonso's departure. However, his repeated public demands for new signings, communication issues with the team, and concerns about game preparation and speeches did not go down well within the club. The separation occurred after Bayer Leverkusen lost their first league game 1:2 against TSG Hoffenheim and drew 3:3 at Werder Bremen, where they threw away a 3:1 lead.

Rolfes, who emphasized the importance of fairness, noted that it is sometimes fairer to draw a line early, even if it may be harsh. He stated that the appointment of Erik ten Hag was not the right one in the current situation at Bayer.

The search for a new head coach is already underway, with several high-profile names in contention. The current candidate is Kasper Hjulmand, who was officially appointed in September 2025 as the successor to Erik ten Hag. Edin Terzić, who has been linked to many clubs since his departure from BVB in summer 2024, is also mentioned as a name for the Bayer Leverkusen coaching position.

Roger Schmidt, who coached Leverkusen from summer 2014 to early 2017 and led the club to the Champions League twice, is also on the market. Xavi, who has been without a job since summer 2024 and is said to have a good contact with Bayer boss Fernando Carro, could also be a candidate. Marco Rose, who is currently unemployed and knows the Bundesliga well, is said to be the hottest candidate for the Bayer Leverkusen coaching position.

In the meantime, the training work at Bayer Leverkusen is temporarily taken over by the assistant coaching staff while the search for a successor begins. The exact date of the new appointment is not yet known.

Ten Hag, who was surprised and disappointed by his dismissal, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to coach Bayer Leverkusen. "I am grateful for the trust that the club placed in me and for the support I received during my time here," he said. "I wish the team all the best for the future."

The departure of Ten Hag marks a significant change for Bayer Leverkusen, who will be hoping to regain their form and challenge for the title once again under their new coach.