Erik ten Hag was appointed in late May to replace Xabi Alonso and began work on 1 July, but lasted only 62 days at Bayer Leverkusen. He managed just two Bundesliga matches and recorded one competitive win, a German Cup tie against a fourth-division side. Leverkusen drew 3-3 with 10-man Werder Bremen after surrendering a 3-1 lead and had lost the season opener to Hoffenheim. Ten Hag provoked irritation by rescheduling a Brazil friendly that ended 5-1, opposed Granit Xhaka's exit despite club openness to offers, criticised player fitness after overseeing pre-season, and struggled to command the squad amid key departures.
Ten weeks is an exaggeration - his reign was actually one day short of nine weeks, clocking in at 62 days. He lasted just two Bundesliga games. He was sacked after Leverkusen threw away a 3-1 lead against 10-man Werder Bremen on Saturday, to draw 3-3. That disappointing result came one week after Leverkusen lost to Hoffenheim in their season opener at home.
Almost from the start, Ten Hag caused irritation with his decisions and behaviour. For instance, he rescheduled a friendly against Flamengo's under-20s team during Leverkusen's training camp in Brazil. The game was played four days earlier than initially planned and Leverkusen lost 5-1 in quite an upset. Around the same time, Ten Hag took a stance against Granit Xhaka's departure, saying the midfield leader ought to stay and that Leverkusen had lost enough key players already.
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