Erik ten Hag hits out after shock sacking by Bayer Leverkusen: Unprecedented

Erik ten Hag has expressed his shock at Bayer Leverkusen's decision to dismiss him after just two Bundesliga matches in charge, criticising the club's hierarchy for failing to show him the trust required to build a new team.

Leverkusen lost their opening league fixture 2-1 at home to TSG Hoffenheim before throwing away a 3-1 lead to draw 3-3 against 10-man Werder Bremen on Saturday, prompting the abrupt departure of the 55-year-old Dutchman on Monday.

Ten Hag, who replaced Xabi Alonso in May on a two-year contract after the Spaniard left for Real Madrid, said in a statement: "The decision by Bayer Leverkusen's management this morning to put me on a leave of absence came as a complete surprise. To part ways with a coach after just two league matches is unprecedented."

The Dutchman's tenure, lasting just 62 days, saw him win only one competitive game-a German Cup tie against a fourth-division side-earning him the tongue-in-cheek nickname "Erik Ten Weeks" from critics.

While early results were disappointing, Ten Hag suggested they were not the sole reason for his dismissal. From the start, his decisions and behaviour reportedly caused friction within the club. He rescheduled a friendly against Flamengo's under-20 team during Leverkusen's training camp in Brazil, resulting in a 5-1 defeat. He also publicly opposed the sale of midfield leader Granit Xhaka, warning that the squad had already lost too many key players.

"Building a new, cohesive team is a careful process that requires both time and trust," Ten Hag said. "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."

Ten Hag, who has been out of management since his sacking by Manchester United in October last year, enjoyed his most successful spell at Ajax Amsterdam between 2018 and 2022, winning three Eredivisie titles and reaching the Champions League semi-finals in 2019.

"Clubs that placed their trust in me have been rewarded with success and silverware," he added.

Leverkusen's summer exodus of stars-including Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Jonathan Tah, Granit Xhaka, and Amine Adli-made Ten Hag's task of building on Alonso's Bundesliga and German Cup double a formidable one. His dismissal after less than nine weeks in charge is now regarded as one of the most surprising managerial exits in recent European football.