It is not always easy to take over from a successful coach. For example, ask Julen Lopetegui, the successor to Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid, David Moyes after the reign of Sir Alex Ferguson or even Julian Nagelsmann, chosen to turn the Hansi Flick page in Bayern Munich. Erik Ten Hag is learning him at his expense with Bayer Leverkusen, he who needs to relaunch himself after an almost traumatic experience in Manchester United. The Dutchman finds a sidelines left vacant by Xabi Alonso, who left on the side of Casa Blanca where the suite of Carlo Ancelotti will not be easy either. With Bayer, the former midfielder was crowned Germany champion without losing a match, and offered the double with the Cup, in addition to a Europa League final. He became a club legend in just three seasons.
Ten Hag has work to do, especially since the sale of Florian Wirtz in Liverpool for € 137 million marks the end of a chapter. Many things are to be rebuilt and management considered that he was the man of the situation. The B04 is a healthy club. There is no shortage of money, getting out of successful seasons in Germany and will once again compete in the Champions League at the start of the school year. New elements have already arrived during this transfer window with Jarell Quansah landed from Liverpool against € 35 million, the same amount for Malik Tillman from the PSV. The club also bases many hopes on Ibrahim Maza (€ 12 million from the Hertha), Christian Kofan (€ 5.5 million in Albacete), Abdoulaye Faye (€ 2.7 million in Häcken), Tim Oermann (€ 1.8 million in Bochum) and Axel Tape, arrived free from PSG.
A friendly beating to start
At first glance and even if Jérémie Frimpong also took the direction of Anfield (€ 40 million), and Jonathan Tah went to Bayern Munich, Ten Hag has something to work in serenity. Except that the last days have already highlighted great tensions. Not a fan of the method used by his new coach, Granit Xhaka (32) quickly sought and found an exit door. He wants to join Sunderland and even agreed with the promoted in the Premier League. The management of Bayer wants to let him go as long as he navigates. It requires € 20 million for the last three years of contract, to the great disarray of Ten Hag, which nevertheless continues to ostrich from Brazil where the team is on before season.
A preparation that started in the worst way. For its first summer game, the German club was in a humiliating defeat last weekend: 5-1 against the U20 in Flamengo. “”The last 30 minutes have been good, and there were warning signsthen assured the coach. The result is bad, but the pre-season results do not really interest me.According to the German press, the Xhaka granite performance, however manager and leader of this locker room, completed the decision of the management to get rid of it as quickly as possible. The Swiss was indigent in the field. If he wanted to display his dissatisfaction and his desire to leave, he could not have done better, especially since Simon Rolfes, the sports director gave him a outing.
Ten hag disapprove of his direction for Xhaka granite
“There is an agreement between the club and the playerconfirmed the player's agent yesterday in Bild. We have always been in contact with Bayer, which has always been aware of the situation. We asked for authorization to speak to Sunderland. Leverkusen accepted out of respect for granite. Now it's up to the clubs to play. “ Erik Ten Hag's response was not long in coming. The same evening, the Dutch technician exploded a little. “”The agent can say anything. This club has already sold three important players (Wirtz, Frimpong and Tah, Editor's note). We will no longer sell. It is not possible. This would amount to neglecting the structure and culture of the teamhe fulminates. Granite is a leader. He signed here for five years and he has three years of contract. It is too important for us to let him go.Except that it is already all heard for management, publicly disowned by his new coach …
