Two days after the axe fell, former Bayer Leverkusen boss Erik ten Hag finally broke his silence, and his words cut as sharply as the board’s decision that sent him packing.
“The decision by Bayer Leverkusen’s management to put me on a leave of absence came as a big surprise,” Ten Hag said in a statement that bristled with both regret and defiance. “To part ways with a head coach after just two league matches is something absolutely unprecedented,” Hag said in the statement obtained by The News Chronicle.
It was the kind of dismissal that left tongues wagging across Europe. After all, the Dutch tactician had barely unpacked his bags before being shown the door. He painted a picture of a project abandoned before it could even find its feet.
“This summer, many key players who were part of the past successes left the squad. Building a new team is a careful process that requires both time and trust,” he explained. “A new manager deserves the space to implement his vision, set the standards, shape the squad, leave his mark on the style of play.”
Ten Hag, who arrived in Leverkusen with a reputation for steady hands and silver linings, suggested the club’s hierarchy lacked the patience needed for a rebuild. “I started this job with full conviction and energy, but unfortunately, the management was not willing to grant me the time and trust I needed, which I deeply regret. I feel this was never a relationship based on mutual trust.”
For a coach who has enjoyed fruitful stints elsewhere, the swift dismissal is clearly a bitter pill to swallow.
“Throughout my career, every season I have been able to see through to the end as a coach has brought success. Clubs that placed their trust in me have been rewarded with success and silverware,” he added, reminding critics of his track record.
Still, the Dutchman ended on a conciliatory note, extending gratitude to the fans who welcomed him with open arms.
“Finally, I would like to thank Leverkusen supporters for their warmth and passion, and so I wish the squad and staff every success for the remainder of the season.”
Football, as ever, remains a ruthless game where patience is in short supply and results are the only currency that matters. And for Ten Hag, Leverkusen proved to be a shipwreck before it could even leave the harbor.
