Ten Hag suffers ultimate embarrassment in first match as Bayer Leverkusen lose 5-1 to U20s – despite being 1/100 to win
The Dutch gaffer was sacked by United in October after winning just three of his opening nine league matches, with a defeat to West Ham being the final straw.
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Erik ten Hag's first Bayer Leverkusen ended in an embarrassing defeat
Credit: Reuters
Ten Hag returned to the beautiful game in May when he was announced as Xabi Alonso's successor at Leverkusen.
But the manager's first game at the helm of the German giants ended in disaster – despite being 1/100 to win.
Leverkusen travelled all the way to Brazil for Ten Hag's debut, with Leverkusen going up against Flamengo.
However, it was their U20s side and not the seniors on the field.
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But that didn't stop the Samba kids from tearing Leverkusen apart in a 5-1 thrashing.
Ten Hag named senior stars including Mark Flekken, Jonas Hoffman and Victor Boniface in his starting XI while sticking with predecessor Alonso's title-winning 3-4-2-1 formation.
And he could only watch with a grimace as Flamengo took a second-minute lead before doubling the score in the 10th.
Ten Hag ended up taking Flekken and Boniface off in the 36th minute.
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But Flamengo put their foot on the gas and netted a third moments later before making it 4-0 seconds before the half-time whistle.
Ten Hag didn't make a single further sub at the break.
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