Former Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag on Monday was confirmed as the new manager of Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen, succeeding Xabi Alonso who left for Real Madrid. The 55-year-old who helped United win two domestic cups, was sacked in October 2024 after the club started the season with 4 defeats in 9 league matches. “Bayer 04 are one of the best clubs in Germany and also among the top clubs in Europe. The club offers outstanding conditions, I’ve been very impressed with the discussions of the management. I’ve come to Leverkusen to continue with the ambition shown in recent years. It’s an attractive challenge to set up something together in this period of change and develop an ambitious team,” the Dutch manager said in a release issued by the German club. He inherits a team that finished second in the Bundesliga and reached the German Cup semifinals this season. Leverkusen won both competitions under Alonso the year before and became the first unbeaten Bundesliga champion ever. Erik ten Hag signs with Bayer 04 as …