What Will Be Erik Ten Hag’s New Club as a Manager?

In a recent development, Dutch manager Erik ten Hag has been sacked by Bayer Leverkusen after a disappointing start to the Bundesliga season. Under Ten Hag, the German side picked up just one point from the two games. They lost 1-2 to Hoffenheim in the opening game, followed by a 3–3 draw against Werder Bremen, a match in which Leverkusen squandered a two-goal lead despite playing with a man advantage for the final 30 minutes.

What Went Wrong For Erik ten Hag?

After Xabi Alonso's departure to Real Madrid at the start of the season, Bayer Leverkusen turned towards former Ajax and Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag to build on the success that the Spanish manager achieved during his three years at the club.

As per various media reports, the club has lost faith in the Dutch manager, with Saturday's 3-3 draw at Werder Bremen, during which they conceded two late goals to ten men, only adding to the unrest. Sporting Director Simon Rolfes notably declined to support Ten Hag on live television, and after the match, the management avoided commenting on the situation.

In a social media post, the club said, “Leverkusen has parted ways with head coach Erik ten Hag with immediate effect and training will be taken over by the assistant coaching staff for the time being.”

Erik ten Hag's Potential Destination

As it is just the start of the season and most of the clubs are adapting to it, there are very few clubs that could name Erik ten Hag as their manager. There will still be options for him to return to his best, considering his tactical acumen and European experience.

Fenerbahce

The club has recently sacked Jose Mourinho two days after elimination from the Champions League playoffs by Benfica, and they might require a tactician to turn things around. They are currently grappling with inconsistency, finding themselves outside the European qualification places in the 2025 Super Lig season. The Turkish side’s recent form has been unstable, prompting calls from fans and management for a fresh strategic direction. Ten Hag’s prowess in nurturing young talent and imposing a disciplined style of play could provide the stability and tactical rigidity Fenerbahce desperately needs.

Aston Villa

In recent times, the club has done fairly well, playing in the Champions League last season and will be playing in the Europa League this season. Things have not been well for Unai Emery this season after a shaky start to the Premier League campaign. The club are yet to register a single win and find themselves in the relegation spot with just one point from three games. In the last two games, they suffered 1-0 and 0-3 defeats against Brentford and Crystal Palace, respectively, which raises a question over Unai Emery's place as the boss. Ten Hag, who managed Manchester United with moderate success before moving to Leverkusen, understands English football’s challenges firsthand. His ability to build cohesive, resilient sides could be the catalyst Villa needs to push into the upper echelons of the league.

Wolves

Wolves have been battling relegation threats and have exhibited uneven form that has frustrated supporters and management alike. They find themselves precariously placed in the Premier League standings, making the managerial situation a hot topic. Vitor Pereira is under significant pressure after the club lost all three of its games this season. Ten Hag’s style, marked by organised defence and effective transitional play, matches Wolves’ need for immediate results and long-term stability.

Girona

A club that has performed well since the takeover of the City group, but this season has been different. Just like Wolves, they are also lingering at the bottom of the table without a win. In the three games, they have conceded 10 goals, and Spanish manager Michel needs to work aggressively to fix the leaking defence. If the club is looking for any change in the management, then Erik ten Hag could be an option for the Spanish outfit. Known for converting underdog teams into competitive units, Ten Hag’s tactical flexibility, notably from his Ajax days, can aid Girona in establishing themselves as a mid-tier contender.