Sports
Leverkusen sack ‘surprised’ Ten Hag after 3 games
Erik ten Hag has said he was “surprised” to be sacked as Bayer Leverkusen manager after just three games in charge, adding that he never felt “mutual trust” from the club’s board.
Ten Hag replaced Xabi Alonso as head coach in May and signed a two-year-contract. But Ten Hag’s stay at Leverkusen has been brief after a poor start to the 2025-26 season.
Leverkusen won their DFB-Pokal first-round tie against fourth-tier SG Sonnenhof, but since that match on Aug. 15, the tenure of the former Manchester United manager tenure had turned sour. They lost their season opener against TSG Hoffenheim at home and then drew 3-3 with Werder Bremen on Saturday.
The decision was made by the shareholders’ committee at the club and on the recommendation of Bayer’s management.
Ten Hag expressed his dismay at what he called an “unprecedented” decision.
“The decision by Bayer Leverkusen’s management this morning to put me on a leave of absence came as a complete surprise,” Ten Hag said in a statement via his management agency, SEG Football.
“To part ways with a coach after just two league matches is unprecedented.
“This summer, many key players who were part of past successes left the squad. Building a new, cohesive team is a careful process that requires both time and trust. A new coach deserves the space to implement his vision, set the standards, shape the squad and leave his mark on the style of play.
“I started this job with full conviction and energy, but unfortunately the management was not willing to grant me the time and trust I needed, which I deeply regret. I feel this was never a relationship based on mutual trust.
“Throughout my career, every season I have been able to see through to the end as a coach has brought success. Clubs that placed their trust in me have been rewarded with success and silverware.
“Finally, I would like to thank the Bayer Leverkusen supporters for their warmth and passion, and I wish the squad and staff every success for the remainder of the season.
It has been a summer of upheaval at Leverkusen, with several of the stars who led them to the 2024 Bundesliga title leaving the club.
Ten Hag took charge as Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, Amine Adli, Odilon Kossounou, Granit Xhaka, Lukas Hradecky and Jonathan Tah all left the club.
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In response, Leverkusen spent in the region of €170 million ($199.31m) to rebuild the squad with Malik Tillman, Jarell Quansah, Eliesse Ben Seghir, Loïc Badé, Ibrahim Maza, Mark Flekken and Ernest Poku all arriving.
“This decision was not an easy one for us. Nobody wanted to take this step,” Leverkusen managing director for sport Simon Rolfes said. “However, the past few weeks have shown that building a new and successful team with this setup is not feasible. We firmly believe in the quality of our team and will now do everything we can to take the next steps in our development with a new setup.”
Ten Hag, who managed Man United from 2022 to 2024, replaced Alonso, who led the team to the 2024 title and a runner-up finish last season. Alonso joined Real Madrid in the summer.
But while Alonso played attacking football, Ten Hag’s conservative style did not marry with the players. A source told ESPN that Leverkusen were keen to make this change sooner rather than later.
Things were clearly in a dismal state after the clash with Werder Bremen.
They surrendered a two-goal lead, and afterward, captain Robert Andrich was clearly frustrated.
“Everyone played for themselves, everyone ran around the pitch on their own. We have too many players who are preoccupied with other things or only with themselves. I don’t know if I’ve ever experienced that at Bayer,” he said.
“The disastrous final phase [of the draw] was a symbol of our current situation. This has nothing to do with any unrest, player transfers or legal proceedings.”
Bayer CEO Fernando Carro added: “A parting of ways at this early stage of the season is painful, but we felt it was necessary. We remain committed to achieving our goals for the season — and to do that, we need the best possible conditions at all levels and across the entire first team. Now it’s a matter of fully implementing and utilising these conditions again.”
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The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly set to bolster their defensive line with an intriguing trade involving the Green Bay Packers on Monday.
The Cowboys agreed to acquire Pro Bowl defensive tackle Rashan Gary for a 2027 fourth-round draft pick, according to multiple reports. The deal comes as the team lost out on trying to acquire Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders. He was dealt to the Baltimore Ravens last week.
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Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Rashan Gary (52) during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field on Nov. 23, 2025. (Jeff Hanisch/Imagn Images)
The Packers selected Gary with the No. 12 overall pick of the 2019 draft out of Michigan. He improved dramatically over the course of seven seasons as he started out as a defensive end, moved to linebacker and then back to the defensive line.
Gary was a Pro Bowl selection in 2024 when he had 7.5 sacks, 47 tackles and a fumble recovery in 17 games. In 2025, Gary played in 16 games. He had 7.5 sacks, 45 tackles and a fumble recovery.
Green Bay Packers defensive end Rashan Gary (52) celebrates after the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Nov. 17, 2024. (Daniel Bartel/Imagn Images)
He signed a four-year contract extension with the Packers during the 2023 season. He will be owed $18 million in 2026 and $21 million in 2027.
Dallas was 7-9-1 in the first season with Brian Schottenheimer as the head coach. The team’s defense was shaken up before the season began when the team traded Micah Parsons to the Packers.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer looks on before the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on Oct. 26, 2025. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)
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The Cowboys were 32nd in points allowed and 30th in yards allowed during the 2025 season.
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Former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said the club’s president Joan Laporta scuppered the return of all-time great Lionel Messi in 2023 to avoid a power struggle.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner left Barca for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 and then two years later moved to MLS side Inter Miami.
“Leo was signed, in January 2023 after winning the World Cup, we got in touch and he told me he wanted to come back,” Xavi told Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia late on Sunday.
“We had the green light from La Liga (financially), but it was the president who threw it away…
“Laporta told me, word for word, that if Leo came back he was going to wage war against him and that he couldn’t allow that. And then suddenly Leo stopped answering my calls because he’d been told that it couldn’t be done.”
Xavi said everything was ready for Messi’s return, there was “no doubt” in a football sense and “we were going to do a last dance, like (former NBA star Michael) Jordan’s”.
Laporta, who resigned as president a few weeks ago to run for re-election this week, suggested Monday former coach Xavi was bitter and said Messi’s father and agent Jorge had told him the superstar had decided not to come back.
“With Xavi I saw we were going to lose and with (current coach Hansi) Flick that we will win,” Laporta said at a presidential debate Monday.
“I understand that (Xavi) is hurt — with the same players Flick wins.”
Laporta said he sent a contract to Jorge Messi who later came to his house and told him that “here there would be too much pressure” if the forward returned.
Messi is Barcelona’s all-time top scorer with 672 goals and won a club-record 34 trophies at Camp Nou.
Laporta also claimed Barca rejected a 250 million euro ($288 million) offer from PSG for teenage superstar Lamine Yamal, reported to have been made in the summer of 2024.
Liverpool are ahead of Manchester United in the race to land Fulham and USMNT left back Antonee Robinson this summer, while Barcelona won’t let left back Alejandro Balde leave for a move to Old Trafford. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.
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TRENDING RUMORS
– Fulham and USMNT left back Antonee Robinson favors a move to Liverpool over Manchester United this summer, according to TEAMtalk. Both clubs are expected to be in the market for a new left back at the end of the season, although their transfer plans may hinge upon qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. According to reports, Robinson could be available for around £25 million, as he is under contract at Fulham until June 2028. Liverpool are looking to replace Andy Robertson, while United are planning for life without Luke Shaw.
– Manchester United have been linked with Barcelona left back Alejandro Balde, but the Spanish club won’t let him depart, says Fabrizio Romano. Balde, 22, is considered a key part of Barcelona’s future, and United have signed Patrick Dorgu to play on the left side of defense already. The report claims United will move for a new left winger this summer, while they will also look for central midfielders and a possible addition at center back as well.
– Manchester City are closing in on the signing of Newcastle United right back Tino Livramento, according to Football Insider. City are keen on bolstering their options at right back, with the club yet to find a long-term replacement for former captain Kyle Walker, and Livramento looks to be their preferred option after a fine season for Newcastle. The 23-year-old England international could move for around the £70 million, although nothing has been finalized at this stage.
– Fulham are expected to “accelerate” their efforts to sign PSV and USMNT forward Ricardo Pepi, according to Fabrizio Romano. Pepi suffered a broken forearm while in action for PSV in mid-January but made a scoring return to action this weekend and is keen to move to the Premier League for next season. Fulham were close to agreeing a fee in the region of €37 million ($43.9 million) in January transfer window, but the deal was contingent on PSV finding a replacement, which they could not do.
– Arsenal are ready to send 19-year-old left back Myles Lewis-Skelly on loan ahead of next season, reports Football Insider. The England international has started just one game in the league since January and has found himself behind Piero Hincapié and Riccardo Calafiori after a breakthrough campaign last season. Everton are reported to be interested in bringing him in on a temporary basis.
EXPERT TAKE
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Have Man City got the depth to match Arsenal’s?
Steve Nicol and Alejandro Moreno discuss Man City’s depth after their impressive FA Cup win vs. Newcastle.
OTHER RUMORS
– Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola is emerging as a standout summer option for Manchester United. (Ekrem Konur)
– Nottingham Forest midfielder Ibrahim Sangare, 28, is on the shortlist of Manchester United. (Caught Offside)
– Newcastle United are showing interest in Bournemouth midfielder Marcus Tavernier, who is also wanted by Manchester United. (TEAMtalk)
– Arsenal intend to make Ecuador defender Piero Hincapié‘s loan move permanent for €52 million in June. (Fabrizio Romano)
– Newcastle want to sign Tottenham Hotspur striker Dominic Solanke. (Daily Mail)
– Netherlands international midfielder Xavi Simons could leave Tottenham Hotspur in the summer. (Nicolo Schira)
– Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle, Inter Milan, Bayern and Dortmund are battling to sign Al Ittihad winger Moussa Diaby. (Fussball-Daten)
– Callum Wilson has agreed to sign a one-year contract extension at West Ham United. The 34-year-old striker is now expected to stay at the club until June 2027. (Telegraph)
– Atlético Madrid chiefs are divided over whether they should make Nicolás González‘s loan transfer from Juventus permanent. The Spanish giants can do so for €32 million this summer. (Calciomercato)
– AC Milan are weighing up a move for Manchester City defender Nathan Aké. The Netherlands international could be available for a cut-price transfer fee, with his current deal expiring in 2027. (Calciomercato)
– Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Rocco Reitz, 23, has reached an agreement to join RB Leipzig. (Sky Germany)
– Juventus captain Manuel Locatelli is getting closer to extending his contract at the club, after rejecting the advances of several Premier League sides. (Nicolo Schira)
– Atlético Madrid are keen on signing Bayer Leverkusen youngster Ibrahim Maza, who could be available for around €35 million. (Ekrem Konur)
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