Erik ten Hag was unable to survive a bumpy start at Bayer Leverkusen and was dismissed after just three official games. The Dutch coach, who had been hired in July to replace Xabi Alonso, said he was disenchanted and wished he had been given enough time to work.
"The management of Samsha Leverkusen took a shock decision to place me on leave this morning. It is unprecedented to sack a coach in just two games in the league. During the summer, some of the most important players of previous seasons exited the team. Forging a new and united team takes a slow process, and time is needed, as well as trust," he explained in a release.
The hurry that kills projects
Ten Hag's coaching case is merely another snapshot of what European clubs are doing to their coaches. Three games aren't enough to determine a manager's impact, but Leverkusen chose to act quickly. He still tried to back his vision. "A new coach should be given room to implement his ideas, establish standards, determine the squad and leave his stamp on playing style.". I accepted this position with total faith and enthusiasm, but unfortunately the board wasn't willing to grant me the time and trust I was worthy of, which I bitterly lament.
His short spell included a 4–0 win against Sonnenhof Grossaspach in the DFB Pokal, a loss to Hoffenheim and a draw against Werder Bremen, both in the Bundesliga. Nothing that truly deserves such an early break-up. The problem wasn't results, but lack of patience.
The weight of the legacy and the unpredictable future
Ten Hag was given the ungrateful task of replacing Xabi Alonso, a Bundesliga champion who turned Leverkusen into one of the hot teams in Germany and even the continent. Anybody who replaced him would have been compared to the Spaniard, but the Dutchman wasn't even handed a chance to even come close. In his letter, he clarified that he thought there was a lack of trust from both sides. "Throughout my career, each year I was able to get through as head coach was for me a success. The clubs who trusted me were rewarded with titles."
His recent form also continues to plague him. Manchester United, his former team, witnessed him leave worn out after two turbulent seasons marked by injuries, failed signings, and player discontent. That aura likely followed him to Leverkusen and helped the board hold back.
Now with the market at his disposal, Ten Hag is trying to recreate the reputation he built with Ajax. But the premature exit in Germany validates the notion that modern soccer doesn't provide projects time to come to fruition. Leverkusen, which was held up as a model of stability, has thrown an insecurity shadow. And the coach, who worked in long-term building terms, leaves with yet another relationship cut short before it even started.