Ex-United Boss Ten Hag appointed new Leverkusen head coach

Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has made a return to football management, signing a two-year deal with Bayer Leverkusen to replace Xabi Alonso at the helm.

The 55-year-old Dutchman has taken up his first coaching role since parting ways with United in October.

His tenure at Old Trafford lasted just over two years, during which he led the club to Carabao Cup and FA Cup victories.

However, he was dismissed after a poor start to the season left United languishing in 14th place in the Premier League.

Ten Hag steps into the role vacated by Xabi Alonso, who was recently announced as the new manager of Spanish giants Real Madrid.

The Dutchman had enjoyed prior success with Ajax before joining United in 2022.

Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes said:, external “With Erik ten Hag, we have brought in an experienced coach with impressive success on the pitch.

“With three league titles and two domestic cup wins, he and Ajax dominated Dutch football from 2018 to 2022.

“And Erik demonstrated his quality as a coach with the ensuing success at Manchester United under difficult circumstances at times.”

Under former Liverpool midfielder Alonso, Leverkusen won a league and cup double in 2023-24.

They finished second in the Bundesliga this season, 13 points behind champions Bayern Munich.

Ten Hag, who will officially start his new role on 1 July, said Leverkusen are “one of the best clubs in Germany and also among the top clubs in Europe”.

He added: “I’ve come to Leverkusen to continue with the ambition shown in recent years. It’s an attractive challenge to set up something together in this period of change and develop an ambitious team.