Latest news with #TenHag
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
A big change for Erik ten Hag! Bayer Leverkusen boss convinced to ditch his preferred system and copy Xabi Alonso's 'good system' after talks with sporting director
Leverkusen to stick with 3-2-5 shape Wing-backs key to structured creativity Ten Hag expected to tweak, not overhaul Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱 WHAT HAPPENED? Ten Hag has abandoned his trusted back-four philosophy just weeks into his Leverkusen reign, embracing the 3-4-2-1 system made famous by former Leverkusen boss and now Real Madrid manager Alonso. Following strategic talks with sporting director Simon Rolfes, the Dutch coach has begun testing the Alonso setup in training, aiming to maintain tactical continuity in a squad still built around the Spaniard's philosophy. THE BIGGER PICTURE With key figures like Jonathan Tah, Granit Xhaka, Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz gone, the Dutchman must rebuild a new core without dismantling the structure that delivered Leverkusen's first-ever Bundesliga title in 2023-24 under Alonso. Switching back to a 4-3-3 or signing traditional wingers like Raheem Sterling would have required major squad upheaval. Instead, Ten Hag has chosen to adapt and evolve, with squad versatility now a central part of his rebuild strategy. WHAT ROLFES SAID Sporting director Simon Rolfes admitted he nudged Ten Hag toward the three-at-the-back setup used under Alonso. 'I believe it's a good system. We have great stability in it and the players for it. It makes sense to put many of the players on the pitch,' he told BILD. XABI TACTICS EXPLAINED Alonso's 3-4-2-1 system evolved into one of the most fluid and devastating attacking setups in European football, which was also proved with the results. On paper, it resembled a 3-4-2-1, but in possession, it often became a 3-2-5, a formation designed to dominate territory, control tempo, and stretch opponents from side to side. At the base, a back three ensured defensive security and smooth build-up from deep while two midfielders acted as a double pivot ahead of the defence. The system's width came from the wing-backs, who constantly pushed high up the field. WHAT NEXT FOR LEVERKUSEN? The search for a fifth centre-back with leadership traits is ongoing, reinforcing the commitment to a back three. Ten Hag must now integrate new personnel while preserving Alonso's dynamism. With expectations high and the blueprint clear, the next chapter in Leverkusen's rise hinges on how well the Dutchman can blend his own vision with the legacy of one of modern football's most innovative systems.
Daily Mirror
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Former Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag forced into embarrassing U-turn at new club
Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has returned to management with Bayer Leverkusen but hasn't had everything his own way as he gears up for his first season in charge Erik ten Hag's attempts to introduce wholesale changes at Bayer Leverkusen look as though they will have to wait. The former Manchester United boss has taken over from Xabi Alonso at the BayArena, but an instant tactical shift has proved difficult. Leverkusen won the Bundesliga in 2024 with Alonso's three-at-the-back approach reaping rewards. Ten Hag's preference throughout his career has been for a back four - an approach which helped him reach the Champions League semi-finals with Ajax and win two domestic cups with United - but things are proving trickier in Germany. It hasn't helped that Ten Hag has been forced to rebuild after the loss of some key players. Jeremie Frimpong and Jonathan Tah were the first to seal moves away, with Florian Wirtz and Granit Xhaka since following suit. After a humbling defeat to a Flamengo Under-20 side in his first pre-season game, Ten Hag oversaw a victory over Bochum on Sunday. With the new season drawing closer, though, a return to an Alonso-style back three appears inevitable. Sporting director Simon Rolfes has said he held conversations with Ten Hag over the tweak, telling Bild: "I believe it's a good system, that we have great stability in it and that we have the players for it. It makes sense to put many of the players on the pitch." Swiss midfielder Xhaka, one of Alonso's important signings ahead of the 2023-24 title campaign, has returned to the Premier League with Sunderland. "I'm very proud to be here. When I spoke to the club, I was excited and I felt the energy, and the mentality that all the people and players have," the former Arsenal star said. "It's exactly what I wanted, and I have a very good feeling. We are back to where this club needs to be, and we want to stay here to write our own history. I feel that I'm ready to help the team with my experience but with quality as well." Ten Hag has brought in a number of new faces, including former Premier League stars Jarell Quansah and Mark Flekken. Quansah made his debut in the weekend win over Bochum, as did fellow new arrivals Ibrahim Maza and Christian Kofane. Leverkusen have also spent £30m on Malik Tillman, with the United States international joining from PSV Eindhoven. "This club has always played great football. But in the last four or five years Leverkusen have grown enormously and become attractive to a lot of players throughout Europe," the former Rangers loanee said. "I want to win something. That was my aim in Glasgow and in Eindhoven and it remains my aim here," 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.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Granit Xhaka agrees Premier League return after being 'annoyed and upset' by Erik ten Hag
Granit Xhaka is heading back to the Premier League with Sunderland as the Bayer Leverkusen star finalises an exit after being left angered by Erik ten Hag's approach Sunderland have agreed a deal with Bayer Leverkusen that will see Granit Xhaka return to the Premier League with the Black Cats - two years after leaving Arsenal. The Swiss midfielder has become a German champion since he's been away but will now link up with the newly promoted side. Sunderland have secured his services in a £17million deal, £13m of that being paid up front with a further £4m to come in add-ons, according to multiple reports. Xhaka agreed personal terms with the club last week ahead of signing a three-year deal. Sunderland saw an earlier offer rejected but end up increasing their total package by £7m to get the transfer over the line. The switch means that Erik ten Hag has lost yet another major figure at Leverkusen despite not even taking charge of a competitive match yet. The ex- Manchester United boss was hired to replace Xabi Alonso but has not endeared himself to all of his players. Bild previously reported that Ten Hag made a deliberate effort to give his new Leverkusen players time and space before contacting them for the first time. However that approach was not been universally well received with Xhaka among those to take issue with the new manager's decision to remain silent. Ten Hag only made contact with the former Arsenal midfielder three weeks after his appointment. That lack of communication saw the Swiss star question his future and he's since chosen to seek pasture new. The former United boss attempted to underlined how important he felt the 32-year-old would be to his plans moving forward, but the damage was ultimately done. Despite evidently frustrating Xhaka with his approach the Dutchman, who is out to prove himself after a poor end to his stint in Manchester, had defiantly claimed that the Swiss midfielder was going nowhere despite his agent admitting a deal with Sunderland was done. Ten Hag said: "His agent can say whatever he wants, but this club has already let three important players (Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Jonathan Tah) go, and we won't let any more go," It is the last blow for the Bundesliga outfit, who have lost a number of the leading lights who helped them claim the league title just over a year ago. Wirtz has left in a British-record deal for Liverpool, which has banked Leverkusen more than £100m. Frimpong has followed him to Anfield. Tah made the move to rivals Bayern Munich. With the huge funds raised the German side have managed to bring in Jarell Quansah from Liverpool with the defender highly thought of. Malik Tillman is another of their major signings, making the move from PSV.
Daily Mail
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Erik ten Hag's former assistant reveals what 'disappointed' him about his two years at Man United
Erik ten Hag 's former assistant manager - Mitchell van der Gaag - has opened up about his time at Manchester United. Van der Gaag served under Ten Hag after following him from Ajax to Old Trafford in 2022, helping the Red Devils win the EFL Cup and the FA Cup in his two seasons at the club. After a shake-up of United's coaching team in the summer of 2024 - which saw Ruud van Nistelrooy replace him as assisant - Van der Gaag left the club in July that year to pursue a managerial role elsewhere. The 53-year-old was unveiled as FC Zurich's new head coach this May, signing a two-year deal with the Swiss side. Van der Gaag described his tenure at United as a 'wonderful' period, but admitted there was one major disappointment that stuck with him from the two-year spell. 'I look back on my time at Manchester United positively,' he told Givemesport. 'I think it was two wonderful years. They were very positive and I learned a lot. 'The first year was very positive because we finished in third place, won the Carabao Cup and went to the FA Cup final. 'I think the only disappointment, in my opinion, was that we could have been better in the Europa League. But I think the first year was very positive, so everyone expected that we could improve in the second season.' United bowed out of the Europa League in 2023-24 after a humiliating 5-2 aggregate defeat by Sevilla in the quarter-finals. After taking a 2-0 lead in the first leg at Old Trafford, United collapsed late on, conceding twice in the final ten minutes to leave the tie level at 2-2. But the second leg in Spain proved a disaster, with Ten Hag's side slumping to a 3-0 defeat. In his debut season, Ten Hag brought renewed optimism to Old Trafford. United finished third in the Premier League, clinched the Carabao Cup and reached the FA Cup final. But despite the silverware, his second year presented a host of challenges. United struggled to an eighth-place finish in the Premier League and exited the Champions League at the group stage. In the end, United salvaged their campaign with a dramatic win over Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley - a triumph that, Van der Gaag said, helped put a more positive spin on a turbulent year. He added: 'That was a very strange season [2023-24]. We were not good enough in the Premier League or Champions League. There were very strange results as well because there were games we were winning comfortably and then drawing or losing. 'But, in the end, we won the FA Cup. It puts everything in a positive way, so that was important. 'They were two years when I learned a lot, especially about the way the Premier League functions, the way football is played and the tactical variations. It was something that I really enjoyed.' Ten Hag was dismissed last October with Man United lying 14th in the Premier League after winning just four of their opening 14 matches. His departure came despite the club triggering a one-year contract extension last summer. The Dutchman had previously served as coach of Bayern Munich's second team between 2015 and 2017. Ten Hag then enjoyed an impressive spell at Utrecht, before leading Ajax to three consecutive Dutch titles and the 2019 Champions League semi-finals. At United, Ten Hag won 70 of his 128 games in charge - a 54.69 per cent win rate - the third-highest win rate of any manager to oversee 100 or more games in the club's history. The 55-year-old now manages Bayer Leverkusen, having succeeded Xabi Alonso in May.
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Xabi Alonso slammed as 'very disappointed' Bayer Leverkusen player reveals he would have asked for transfer had Real Madrid boss not left
Hofmann frustrated by lack of dialogue Ten Hag arrival seen as fresh chance Leverkusen ace nearly pushed for move Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱 WHAT HAPPENED? The 33-year-old midfielder has publicly criticised the former Leverkusen manager for lacking direct communication after he was relegated to a fringe role in the second half of the 2024-25 season. He told Kolner Stadt-Anzeiger that he expected 'open and honest' dialogue and was disappointed by the Spaniard's approach. THE BIGGER PICTURE While Alonso's tenure at Leverkusen was widely hailed for its historic Bundesliga title win, Hofmann's comments reveal underlying tensions behind the scenes. The midfielder made 46 appearances in 2023-24, but barely featured the following season, starting just four league games. His frustration suggests that not all players thrived under Alonso's leadership, despite the team's success. With new coach Erik ten Hag in place, the player is ready to fight for his place in the starting XI. WHAT HOFMANN SAID Hofmann targeted the former Leverkusen coach's leadership style, specifically his lack of clear communication with players during difficult periods. "I expect a coach to address something directly when he notices something. I expect open and direct communication. A coach shouldn't wait longer than two weeks for this, because as a coach, I want the players to be in top shape to raise the training level. There's always a need for competition, that's clear. I would have expected a bit more from the coach." He added: "New coach, new opportunity. I'm a Bundesliga kid. I'm fighting my way back. I feel comfortable, but under Xabi Alonso, I probably would have considered a move. Personally, I'm putting last season in a box and don't want to take it out again. It was very disappointing for me, what happened there and how it played out. That's not what I'm aiming for." WHAT NEXT FOR HOFMANN & ALONSO? Hofmann is determined to regain his form under Ten Hag, while Alonso's challenge at Real Madrid may demand improved player relationships if the Leverkusen player's complaints are correct.
