Source: REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen
[Saba Sports News] As La Liga’s Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso has confirmed his move to La Liga to coach Real Madrid, media outlets have been speculating about who will take over as his replacement. Recently, the matter has reached its final conclusion. Just now, Leverkusen officially released a statement announcing that former Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag will become the new coach of Leverkusen, with a contract running until 2027. Ten Hag coached Manchester United from July 2022 to October 2024, with a win rate of 56.3%. During his tenure, he led the team to a third-place finish in the league, winning two important trophies – the EFL Cup for the 2022/23 season and the FA Cup for the 2023/24 season. However, he was dismissed due to poor start results with only a 14th place in the first 9 rounds of the Premier League in 2024. Before taking charge of Manchester United, Ten Hag had an impressive four-and-a-half-year tenure at Ajax, leading the team to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in the 2018/19 season, knocking out Real Madrid and Juventus in the knockout stage, achieving three consecutive La Liga titles and two domestic doubles, with a win rate as high as 74%. In addition, he also coached Bayern Munich’s youth team from 2013 to 2015, gaining Bundesliga experience.