This is called an express passage. Officially appointed coach of Bayer Leverkusen on May 26, Erik Ten Hag had the heavy task of succeeding Xabi Alonso, winner of the Bundesliga a year earlier. As always, observers congratulated the German club for its sense of anticipation. After Alonso's announced departure from Real Madrid, his replacement had been quickly found and he could participate in the transfer window. But nothing worked as planned. Humiliated in preseason in a friendly match against a team of young people from Flamengo (1-5), Erik Ten Hag held only two championship matches (a defeat against Hoffenheim and a draw against the Werder) before being fired Manu Militari.
An express divorce that the Batavian did not digest. “”The decision made this morning (the day before yesterday, editor's note) by the management of Bayer Leverkusen to put myself on my surprise. Separating a coach after only two league games is unprecedented. This summer, many key players who had contributed to past successes left the team. Building a new united team is a delicate process that requires both time and confidence. A new coach deserves the latitude necessary to implement his vision, fix the standards, shape the team and print his brand on the style of play. I started this work with a faultless conviction and energy, but unfortunately, the management was not willing to grant myself the time and the confidence I needed, what I deeply regret. I have the feeling that this relationship has never been based on mutual trustHe said in a statement published the day before yesterday.
Bayer wanted to act very quickly
A lack of confidence symbolized by the recruitment of the Spanish side Lucas Vazquez made in the back of ETH. Faced with this scenario to say the least rock'n'roll, Bayer Leverkusen came out of silence to explain its radical choice through its football director, Simon Rolfes. And obviously, the dice were thrown even before the draw conceded against the Werder. “We sat down last week and this weekend. Whatever the result (last match), and we just felt that things were going in the wrong direction. Before arriving at the bad destination, we decided to make this decision earlier, now during the international break. Of course, according to the impressions of the preseason and the first games, we felt that we had to do it now. I will certainly not enter the smallest detail. The essential is that, thanks to the arrival of many new players, clarity is present on many points and that management is clear ”he said, adding.
“He was surprised and disappointed, it's human. It was not easy for us to make this decision. It was difficult. But I am convinced, just like Fernando (Carro, the CEO of the club, editor's note): when we recognize things and we have positions, we must act accordingly. This is what we did. (…) We also make bad decisions (to name Ten Hag). But if we then think that this can no longer work in the future, it is an even more serious error to let things last. So, we also have to admit that the situation is not the one we imagined. It is sometimes difficult, but it is fairer to pull a line on it early enough. »» The message has the merit of being honest.
