Latest news with #Leverkusen
Qatar Tribune
3 days ago
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Leverkusen's Ten Hag laughs off 5-1 defeat, wants Xhaka to stay
dpa Rio de Janeiro Bayer Leverkusen's new coach Erik ten Hag was unflustered by his side losing 5-1 to Flamengo's under-20 team during their pre-season tour of Brazil on Friday. 'We haven't played together in this constellation,' he told reporters. 'I really don't give a shit about pre-season results.' He emphasized that what mattered to him was 'what I saw.' In the final stages of the match, he said there was 'a very good approach.' The Dutchman has replaced Xabi Alonso, who left to coach Real Madrid after winning the Bundesliga in 2024 and finishing second to Bayern Munich last term. Ten Hag is back in football for the first time since a forgettable spell at Manchester United and the English press were on his back again after the defeat in Rio de Janeiro. Ten Hag told the Bild newspaper on Saturday that he hopes Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka stays at the club amid interest from Saudi Pro League club Neom SC. The fact the 32-year-old flew to Brazil is a good sign for the new coach. 'Granit should stay,' he said. 'We are rebuilding, a new team is emerging ... but if it was up to me, he would stay.' Leverkusen utility player Robert Andrich was not as sanguine as his coach about the loss in Brazil. 'I don't want to sound too dramatic, but this was a bit of a catastrophe,' he told Bild. Leverkusen, who have lost star players Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong to Liverpool, started with only Jonas Hofmann, Victor Boniface, Amine Adli and Arthur as first teamers. Ten Hag changed almost the entire team at half-time and Patrik Schick, Alejandro Grimaldo, Xhaka and Andrich entered the fray. Leverkusen stay in their training camp in Brazil until Wednesday and then have friendlies back in Europe against Pisa and Chelsea. They return to the competitive action in the new season with a German Cup first-round clash at fourth-tier SG Sonnenhof Grossaspach on August 15. Leverkusen host Hoffenheim in their Bundesliga opener on August 23.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ex-Arsenal star Granit Xhaka set to snub Premier League return amid talk of Bayer Leverkusen exit
Sunderland courted Xhaka Midfielder set to turn down the Black Cats Wants to continue with Leverkusen Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱 WHAT HAPPENED? Saudi club Neom were previously linked with a big-money move for the Swiss star but ultimately pulled out of negotiations as they did not want to match Leverkusen's demands of €15 million (£12.6m) and were prepared to pay €8m (£6.7m). Leverkusen were in no need to sell the player as he continues to be a vital cog in midfield and has three years left on his current deal. THE BIGGER PICTURE Sunderland weren't alone in their attempts to lure Xhaka away from the BayArena. Turkish Super Lig powerhouse Fenerbahce also registered their interest with a concrete offer. But much like the Premier League club, they too have seemingly come up short, with the player said to be focused on continuity and family stability over embarking on a new challenge abroad, as revealed by Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri. DID YOU KNOW? One of the driving forces behind Xhaka's likely decision to remain in Leverkusen is the club's evolving vision under new manager Erik ten Hag. The former Manchester United boss recently took the reins at the Bundesliga champions, and reportedly plans to build the core of his midfield around the experienced Swiss international, appreciating his leadership qualities and game management skills. Such a central role is difficult to walk away from, especially when combined with family considerations and the comfort of life in Germany. WHAT NEXT FOR XHAKA? Though Sunderland had high hopes of pulling off a major coup with the acquisition of Xhaka, they now must look for alternatives. In fact, AC Milan had also reached out to the midfielder but had to withdraw their interest, given Leverkusen's high asking price.
News18
3 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Don't Really Care! Ten Hag After 5-1 Loss To Flamengo U-20s On Leverkusen Debut
Last Updated: Erik ten Hag's debut as Bayer Leverkusen manager ended in a 5-1 loss to Flamengo's Under-20 team. Leverkusen struggled without key players. Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag had a disastrous start at Bayer Leverkusen, facing a humiliating defeat against Flamengo's Under-20 team on Friday. In his first game back in management since his dismissal by United last year, Ten Hag, who succeeded Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen last month, saw his side suffer a 5-1 loss in Brazil. This marked his first match in the dugout since his sacking by United last October. Erik ten Hag watched as his new squad was thoroughly outplayed by the Brazilian team. Bayer Leverkusen might still be adjusting to life without Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Jonathan Tah, all of whom departed at the end of the season after being pivotal in their title-winning campaign of 2023-24. Despite the fact it was only a friendly, the loss was significant. How Bayer Leverkusen Lost? Leverkusen's starting XI in the friendly in Rio de Janeiro included Mark Flekken, Jonas Hofmann, Victor Boniface, and former United defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah. However, they found themselves 2-0 down within the first ten minutes and trailing 4-0 by half-time. Flekken and Boniface were substituted after just 36 minutes, with Niklas Lomb and Alejo Sarco coming on as replacements, possibly indicating early signs of trouble. Montrell Culbreath scored a consolation goal for Leverkusen in the dying minutes of the pre-season friendly. Ten Hag's next challenge for Leverkusen is another friendly match against fellow German team Bochum next Saturday in Brazil. After the match, Erik ten Hag did not want to give too much importance to the humiliating loss. 'The result looks bad, but I don't really care about results in preseason," he remarked. 'We should never lose, even by a large margin, but it was important to me not to lose any players. 'It would have been better to play the game later." Bayer Leverkusen are the first Bundesliga club to have a pre-season tour in South America, with their visit to Rio de Janeiro from July 14 to July 24. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Erik ten Hag suffers humiliation in first match since Man Utd sacking - 'A debacle'
Erik ten Hag's first game in charge of Bayer Leverkusen ended in a 5-1 defeat to Flamengo's under-20s side on Friday night, in a horror show for the former Manchester United boss Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag suffered a disastrous start to life at Bayer Leverkusen - after they were humiliated by Flamengo's Under-20 team. In his first game back in management since being sacked by United last year, Ten Hag - who took over from Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen last month - saw his side humbled and embarrassed in Brazil, beaten 5-1. It was his first game in the dugout since being dismissed by United last October. He witnessed his new squad being soundly defeated by the Brazilian team. German media outlet Bild labelled the match 'a debacle'. Leverkusen may still be adjusting to life without Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Jonathan Tah, all of whom left the Bundesliga side at the end of the season and had been key players during their title winning triumph of 2023-24, and it was only a friendly. But my word. Leverkusen were able to field Mark Flekken, Jonas Hofmann, Victor Boniface and ex-United defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah in the starting XI for the friendly in Rio de Janeiro. However, the Bundesliga team found themselves 2-0 down within the first ten minutes of the match, before Flamengo were 4-0 up at half-time. Flekken and Boniface were substituted off with just 36 minutes on the clock, with Niklas Lomb and Alejo Sarco their replacements. A sign perhaps that, already, all is not well. Montrell Culbreath netted a consolation goal for Leverkusen in the dying minutes of their pre-season friendly. Ten Hag's next assignment with Leverkusen is a warm-up match against German outfit Bochum next Saturday. "The result looks bad, but I don't really care about results in preseason," he remarked. "We should never lose, even by a large margin, but it was important to me not to lose any players. "It would have been better to play the game later." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Ten Hag suffers ultimate embarrassment in first match as Bayer Leverkusen lose 5-1 to U20s – despite being 1/100 to win
MANCHESTER UNITED flop Erik ten Hag picked up where he left off as his first match as Bayer Leverkusen boss ended in a massive defeat to a YOUTH side. 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. 1 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. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL 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. Most read in Bundesliga BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS 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. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video . Like us on Facebook at
