After only two match days
First Bundesliga coach apparently before the end
31.08.2025 – 1:25 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
After successful years under Xabi Alonso, Bayer Leverkusen is doing a false start under his new coach. That could have consequences.
After two match days, runner -up Bayer Leverkusen is already a crisis mood. The opening defeat against TSG Hoffenheim last week (1-2) followed a 3: 3 draw at Werder Bremen on Saturday. The “Werkself” had already led 3-1 against replacement weakened Hanseatic League and, from the 63rd minute due to a yellow-red card for Niklas, was also more on the field with a man. In the majority, Bayer actually played the victory believed.
Captain Robert Andrich subsequently accused his teammate. “We have too many people who deal with other things or just with themselves. I don’t know if I have ever experienced it at Bayer,” said the 30-year-old, who shortly afterwards did not really take coach Erik Ten HAG. “The trainer is the one who is above. Of course, he has to get the most calm from the top,” said the midfielder. “But in the end we are the ones that are on the pitch.”
Nevertheless, the eyes are now primarily aimed at the successor of successful coach Xabi Alonso. As the specialist magazine “Kicker” reported on Sunday, ten HAG in Leverkusen should already stand before the end. From the club it says that the transfer period will be ended first. The bosses around managing director Sport Simon Rolfes and CEO Fernando Carro should therefore discuss on Monday evening whether they really want to continue working with the Dutch.
The internal doubts about the work of the 55-year-old are enormous just a few weeks after taking office. Even before the game in Bremen, the “kicker” described the preparation for the game and the speeches of the new trainer as critical. Now the magazine wrote that Ten Hag “had already smashed porcelain on several levels”. This fits: Ten HAG received no trust before or after the game in Bremen.
The coach does not seem to achieve the team, which was newly formed after their XXL break. In Bremen, the execution of the penalty was made symbolism at the meantime 3: 1. Patrik Schick and Exequiel Palacios contested clearly about who can now compete with the penalty.
Robert Andrich said afterwards that he only had enforced as a captain that Schick shoots – unlike ten Hag. He claimed: “It was announced beforehand who took the ball and who is on the note.” The behavior of his players is “unacceptable”. Similarly, those responsible at Bayer Leverkusen are likely to evaluate the entire performance of the team – and possibly lead to personnel consequences.