Erik ten Hag's Bayer Leverkusen Exit Costs Club Nearly €6M After Just Two Bundesliga Games
Erik ten Hag’s brief tenure at Bayer Leverkusen proved costly, with the Bundesliga side paying almost €6 million in salary and severance following his dismissal after only two league matches.
Bayer Leverkusen paid nearly €6M in salary and severance to Erik ten Hag, averaging €100k per day, after sacking him just two months in.
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The Dutch manager, who previously led Manchester United, lasted just two months at the BayArena before being relieved of his duties. Reports from Sport Bild revealed that Ten Hag earned just under €5 million in wages and severance combined, averaging approximately €100,000 per day during his short stay in Germany.
Leverkusen’s leadership acted swiftly after a disappointing start to the Bundesliga campaign, where the team dropped five points against Hoffenheim and Werder Bremen. Sporting director Simon Rolfes later admitted that appointing Ten Hag had been a mistake, highlighting a mismatch with the club’s long-term vision.
Behind the scenes, friction grew between the coach and the club’s hierarchy. Tensions rose when Ten Hag opposed Granit Xhaka’s potential transfer, despite prior agreements within the board. He was also excluded from negotiations surrounding Lucas Vázquez’s move from Real Madrid, further reducing his influence in squad planning.
Reports suggest that his approach also strained relationships with players and staff, creating an atmosphere of isolation within the dressing room. The situation left the club with little choice but to part ways and seek stability early in the season.
Leverkusen have already turned their focus back to domestic objectives, aiming to recover momentum in the Bundesliga. For Ten Hag, the setback raises further questions about his future at the top level of European football, following a challenging spell at Manchester United.
