Bayer Leverkusen have made the daring determination to half methods with Erik ten Hag after simply three months in command of the 2025-26 marketing campaign, a transfer that despatched shockwaves throughout the Bundesliga. Seeking to regular the ship for the remainder of the season, the German facet at the moment are reportedly focusing on a former FC Barcelona coach.
When Xabi Alonso left to take over at Actual Madrid, Ten Hag was chosen to interchange him, formally beginning on July 1 with hopes of continuous the membership’s latest success. Nonetheless, the plan shortly unraveled as key gamers akin to Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Jonathan Tah, and Amine Adli all departed.
Tensions escalated when Ten Hag reportedly clashed with captain Granit Xhaka, who later moved to Sunderland, and determined to maneuver on from membership icon Lukas Hradecky, who joined Monaco. Mixed with a string of poor outcomes to open the Bundesliga season, Leverkusen’s persistence ran out, prompting a change on the sidelines.
In line with Marca, Leverkusen have recognized Xavi Hernandez as their most popular possibility to interchange Ten Hag. The previous Barcelona boss, at present with out a membership, was approached by membership officers final week. Now that Ten Hag’s dismissal has been confirmed, the push for the Spaniard is predicted to accentuate.
Xavi, Head Coach of FC Barcelona, appears on earlier than the LaLiga EA Sports activities match between Sevilla FC and FC Barcelona at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Might 26, 2024 in Seville, Spain.
Saturday’s collapse towards Werder Bremen appeared to seal Ten Hag’s destiny. Leverkusen squandered a 3-1 lead and needed to accept a 3-3 draw, after which newly appointed captain Robert Andrich brazenly criticized the squad. “We’ve got too many people who find themselves solely involved with different issues. Too many who’re solely involved with themselves,” he mentioned in a post-match interview, in accordance with DPA.
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When requested whether or not Leverkusen’s struggles have been as a consequence of gamers misinterpreting ten Hag’s directions or just not understanding what to do, the Andrich replied: “It’s a mix of each. I’ve to carry myself accountable too, as a result of I’m the captain, I’m in midfield, I’ve to maintain the staff collectively. That’s why I need to first query myself.”
Xavi reluctant to return to the dugout
When Alonso left earlier this summer time, considered one of Leverkusen’s first targets was Xavi Hernandez, who had stepped down from Barcelona in 2024. The Catalan declined on the time, believing it was not the fitting second to return to administration, in accordance with Marca.
Now, the Spanish outlet experiences that Leverkusen have reached out once more. However Xavi’s stance seems unchanged, dealing one other blow to the membership’s hopes. Different names linked embrace Edin Terzic and Marco Rose, whereas the membership can also be monitoring Oliver Glasner’s scenario at Crystal Palace. For now, nevertheless, Leverkusen’s coaching periods shall be overseen by the assistant teaching workers till a everlasting substitute is discovered.
