'Can't Sail Today On Yesterday's Wind': Erik Ten Hag Urges Patience Amid Bayer Leverkusen Rebuild
Bayer Leverkusen manager Erik Ten Hag, who took over the reins of the Bundesliga side following the departure of former gaffer Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid, eyes a steady rebuild at the German outfit with long-term success the main agenda.
Ten Hag, who was sacked from his previous role as the head coach of Premier League side Manchester United, called for time as he begins his rehabilitation process of the team that has been picked apart with the departures of star names including Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka, Jonathan Tah, Jeremie Frimpong and Lukas Hradecky over the summer.
Leverkusen clinched the 2023/24 Bundesliga title unbeaten under the stewardship of Alonso, but Ten Hag, reiterated the fact that no side can afford to rest on its previous laurels.
'You can't sail today on the wind from yesterday," the 55-year-old said.
'No one is Harry Potter, building a team so quickly and being successful at the same time. That's not how top-level football works," he explained.
Ten Hag opened his tenue at the head of the side with a 4-0 win over Grossaspach in the German Cup fixture between the sides despite some early jitters.
'You can see that not all the processes are working yet. It takes time," the Dutchman added.
Leverkusen have managed to rope in the likes of Jarell Quansah, Malik Tillman and Ernest Poku in order to strengthen their side ahead of the season, with a few more incoming transfers lined up before the window slams shut.
German icon Jurgen Klinsmann backed the Dutchman to deliver results at the helm of the club; however, he called for a more moderate expectation to start off with.
'Leverkusen have to redefine their goals, because you cannot expect them to win the championship now," the legendary striker added.
'The goal will be getting to a Champions League spot and maybe winning the German Cup, and doing well in Europe as well," he added.
'Erik absolutely has the knowledge, the charisma and the capabilities to do really well," Klinsmann said.
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