Erik ten Hag has accepted Bayer Leverkusen’s offer to replace Xabi Alonso but the German club are still waiting to make a final decision on their new manager, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Ten Hag was dismissed by Manchester United in October after a 2-0 defeat away to West Ham in the Premier League with the team languished in 14th in the table and yet to win a game in Europe.
The Dutchman was replaced by Ruben Amorim who arrived amid a fanfare of positivity from Sporting CP after great success in Lisbon.
But Amorim has been unable to recreate this level in Manchester with the Red Devils currently 16th and confirmed trophyless after the abject defeat in the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night.
This was buttressed by early exits from the Carabao Cup and FA Cup earlier in the season.
While this may have offered some vindication to Ten Hag, given his replacement fared even worse than him, the reality is the Dutch manager’s recruitment at Old Trafford over the previous three years is the biggest contributor to the dismal team Amorim was forced to field in Bilbao this week.
But this does not necessarily diminish how highly-regarded Ten Hag is as a coach, outside of the almost unreasonable level of influence United have afforded their managers in the transfer market in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson malaise.
The 55-year-old’s former club Ajax have expressed an interest in bringing him back to Amsterdam this summer while his reputation remains high in Germany after his impressive work for Bayern Munich’s second side.
This is why Bayer Leverkusen – who will see Alonso swap the BayArena for the Bernabeu to replace Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid – have advanced talks with Ten Hag.
Romano reveals the Dutchman has “said yes to Bayer Leverkusen project on a two year contract” but stresses a deal is yet to be signed as Die Werkself also have other candidates on their list.
🚨 Understand Erik ten Hag said yes to Bayer Leverkusen project on a two year contract.
He’s now waiting for club decision as they spoke to several candidates…
…but ETH gives priority to Bayer 04, with Ajax waiting in the background. pic.twitter.com/Nh9OcSwedo
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 23, 2025
Tweet: “Understand Erik ten Hag said yes to Bayer Leverkusen project on a two year contract. He’s now waiting for club decision as they spoke to several candidates…but ETH gives priority to Bayer 04, with Ajax waiting in the background.”
The Italian transfer guru contends Ajax are still “waiting in the background” if Leverkusen decide to go in a different direction than Ten Hag.
Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
