Erik ten Hag is set to return to management to replace Xabi Alonso at reigning Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Kicker, an authority on German football, say that the Workers’ Eleven are ‘no longer in the selection process, but have made up their mind’ on the former Manchester United manager.
Ten Hag could be back competing for major trophies in GermanyGetty Alonso looks a certainty to vacate the Leverkusen hotseatGettyTen Hag left OId Trafford in October 2024 after just short of two-and-a-half seasons with two trophies in tow in the form of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
League form had been disastrous for the Dutchman, but to his credit, things have only got worse under replacement Ruben Amorim.
Ten Hag also maintains a strong reputation in Germany, not only from his time in the neighbouring Netherlands where he took Ajax to the Champions League semi-finals, but also his stint as a youth team coach under Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich.
Kicker add that Leverkusen are ‘at the very least in advanced talks’ with Ten Hag ‘if not already in agreement’.
All of this comes with current head coach Alonso still in position, although it looks almost certain that he will replace Carlo Ancelotti at former side Real Madrid.
With such an eventually set to pass in the coming days and weeks, Leverkusen have a reputation as one of the best prepared clubs in Europe when it comes to coaching changes.
In 2022 when Alonso was hired, his signing was announced the same day that Gerardo Seoane was officially fired, and there have been similar cases in the past.
Kicker earlier reported that Alonso’s Leverkusen departure is ‘only a matter of time’ and could be announced before their final home match on May 11 to afford him a farewell to the supporters.
In his first senior job in football, the former Liverpool and Bayern midfielder secured Leverkusen’s first Bundesliga title and second DFB Pokal in the 2023/24 campaign.
It was also Alonso’s first full season in management, and the first time a German side had gone unbeaten domestically.
Alonso leaves a huge legacy for Ten Hag to followAFP Ten Hag’s Manchester United side were wildly inconsistent, which led to his axingThe season ended with a Europa League final defeat to Atalanta, their only loss of this season, and they’ve been similarly stoic this campaign.
Domestically, Leverkusen have only lost three times, but draws have seen them suffer towards a trophyless campaign, with Bayern set to clinch the title next time out.
It was earlier reported by Kicker that sporting director Simon Rolfes and Fernando Carro had a four-man shortlist long prepared to replace Alonso.
Along with Ten Hag it included former Barcelona coach Xavi, departing Real Sociedad man Imanol Alguacil and Brighton’s Fabian Hurzeler.
Attacking football and the ability to speak English were seen as priorities, with the former something Ten Hag showcased to near perfection back home in Holland.
After four years as runners up in the Eredivisie, Ajax won the next three available titles under Ten Hag and added two KNVB Cups.
Ten Hag enjoys a solid reputation in Europe despite his struggles in EnglandGettyThey also narrowly missed out on the 2019 Champions League final as Tottenham staged a last-gasp comeback against a team that played thrilling football with numerous academy graduates.
Ten Hag’s name has been linked to Borussia Dortmund ever since, but it now looks like Leverkusen will seal his eventual return to Germany.
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