Bayer Leverkusen have confirmed Erik ten Hag as their new manager following the departure of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid.
The appointment ends the Dutchman’s seven-month absence from the game after his sacking by Manchester United in October last year.
The 55-year-old has agreed a two-year contract with the recently deposed Bundesliga champions.
Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes highlighted Ten Hag’s success at Old Trafford, where he claimed the FA Cup and League Cup, ‘under difficult conditions’.
‘With Erik ten Hag, we are relying on an experienced coach with impressive sporting successes,’ said Rolfes in a statement announcing Dutchman’s arrival.
‘His six title wins with Ajax Amsterdam were exceptional. With three championships and two cup wins, he and Ajax dominated Dutch soccer unchallenged from 2018 to 2022.
Erik ten Hag has signed a two-year deal to become the new manager of Bayer Leverkusen
The Dutchman will succeed Xabi Alonso, who was named as Real Madrid manager on Sunday
Ten Hag has been without a job since he was sacked by Manchester United in October last year
‘And Erik also proved his class as a coach with his subsequent successes with Manchester United under sometimes difficult conditions.
‘Our ideas of soccer are the same. With technically demanding and dominant soccer, we want to continue to operate in the Werkself style in the future and strive for the highest goals in the Bundesliga, DFB Cup and Champions League.’
Ten Hag said: ‘Bayer 04 is one of the best clubs in Germany and is also part of the European elite. The club offers excellent conditions and I was very impressed by the talks with those responsible.
‘I have come to Leverkusen to confirm the ambitions that have grown over the past few years. It is an exciting task to build something together in this phase of upheaval and to develop an ambitious team.’
Ten Hag was dismissed from Old Trafford earlier this season 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.
Ten Hag’s extension followed him leading the club to the FA Cup, having also won the Carabao Cup in his first full season in charge.
He had previously served as coach of Bayern Munich’s second team between 2015 and 2017, when Pep Guardiola led the senior side.
Leverkusen highlighted Ten Hag’s success despite ‘difficult conditions’ at Man United
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 Man 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 game or more in the club’s history.
His predecessor at Leverkusen guided the club to the Bundesliga title last season, going undefeated in the process. However, Alonso’s side have been beaten to the title by Bayern Munich this time around.
