Bayer Leverkusen announced on Monday that Eric ten Hag will replace Xabi Alonso as the first team coach from today. The two parties signed a two-year contract, which will be valid until June 30, 2027.

"We have hired a coach with a lot of experience and a proven track record on the pitch," said Simon Rolfes, managing director of Leverkusen Sport. "Ten Hag has won six titles with Ajax, which is an extraordinary achievement. With three league titles and two cup titles, he and Ajax will undisputedly dominate Dutch football between 2018 and 2022."

Rolfes went on to add: "Eric subsequently proved his coaching skills at Manchester United and achieved certain results under difficult circumstances. Our football philosophies are highly compatible. We hope to continue Leverkusen's style with a technically demanding and oppressive style of play and to impact the highest honors of the Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League."

Ten Hag, 55, started his coaching career in 2002 and has served as the head coach of Go Ahead Eagles, Bayern Munich II, Utrecht, Ajax and Manchester United. He led Ajax to win three Eredivisie titles, two Dutch Cups and one Dutch Super Cup, and won the FA Cup and the English League Cup after taking over Manchester United in 2022.

Ten Hag was fired by Manchester United in October 2024 because the league results did not meet expectations. He has been unemployed at home since then and has said that he will not return to coaching before July 1.

Regarding taking over Leverkusen, Ten Hag said: "Leverkusen is one of the best clubs in Germany and one of the top clubs in Europe. The club provides excellent conditions and I am impressed by the communication with the management."

"I came to Leverkusen to continue the ambition that the team has shown in recent years. It is an attractive challenge for me to work together to build a team with high ambitions in a period of change."