Former Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag has emerged as a target for Bayer Leverkusen as a potential replacement for Xabi Alonso, who is expected to join Real Madrid next season.
Spanish media reported that Alonso is about to inform the German club’s management of his desire to leave to pursue his dream of managing Real Madrid. Leverkusen, however, will not stand in the way of the coach, according to a previous agreement between the two parties.
Leverkusen has been considering several options for some time, the most prominent of which was Sandro Wagner, who decided to leave his position as assistant to Julian Nagelsmann in charge of the German national team to begin his career as a solo coach.
Xabi Alonso Informs Leverkusen of His Interest in Coaching Real Madrid
Leverkusen Interested in Signing Erik ten Hag
According to Sky Sports, the latest option on Leverkusen’s table is Erik ten Hag.
The Dutch coach has been without a club since last October after being sacked by Manchester United. He has previously expressed interest in working in the Bundesliga on more than one occasion.
There are no official negotiations between Leverkusen and the 55-year-old coach yet. What has taken place is an exploration of Ten Hag’s interest in taking on this adventure and the cost of signing him.
🚨⚫️🔴 Yes, Erik ten Hag is a serious candidate for Bayer 04 Leverkusen!
As reported by @kicker_B04, the 55-year-old Dutchman is on their shortlist, although there have not yet been any concrete talks with him. But Leverkusen have gathered information on Ten Hag as they explore… pic.twitter.com/AmxRdEXIew
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) April 30, 2025
Ten Hag’s experience will not be his first in Germany.
Ten Hag has previously worked in Germany, but in the third division when he led Bayern Munich from 2013 to 2015. He has strong ties with Bundesliga clubs, most notably Borussia Dortmund.
Last February, Dortmund attempted to sign the Dutchman to replace Nuri Sahin, but Ten Hag made it clear that he did not want to take over mid-season and that his new start would be at the start of next season.
Prior to that, specifically after Niko Kovac’s departure from Bayern Munich in 2019, after Hansi Flick’s departure in 2021, and even after Thomas Tuchel’s dismissal last season, Ten Hag was repeatedly linked with the Bavarian club.
Ten Hag’s Career Achievements
It should be noted that Ten Hag’s most successful experience was with Ajax, which spanned the period from 2017 to 2022, during which he won every domestic title.
Ten Hag won the Dutch league title three times, along with two KNVB Cups, one UEFA Super Cup, and came within a whisker of reaching the Champions League final in 2018.
With Manchester United, Ten Hag won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, and in his first season, he finished second in the Premier League before the experience collapsed from the beginning of the second season until he was dismissed at the beginning of the third.
Other Options for Leverkusen to Replace Alonso
Current Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeness was Leverkusen’s first choice to succeed Alonso, before the promising coach decided to renew his contract with the southern club until the summer of 2028, ending the debate over his future.
Alongside Sandro Wagner, former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has been strongly suggested as a potential successor to Alonso, given that the two share a similar cultural and intellectual background, and Xavi’s success with Barcelona was evident in his first two seasons.
