On 30/8, during Leverkusen's 3-3 draw against Bremen in the second round of the Bundesliga, a penalty incident highlighted the growing rift between coach Erik ten Hag and his players. With Leverkusen leading 2-1 and Bremen down to 10 men after Niklas Stark's red card, midfielder Exequiel Palacios, a recent substitute, immediately claimed the ball for the penalty kick. However, striker Patrick Schick wrestled the ball away.

Schick (number 14) argues with Palacios before Leverkusen's penalty kick during their draw with Bremen at Weser Stadium, Bremen, Germany, in the second round of the Bundesliga on 30/8/2025. Photo: KSTP

Palacios had a 100% penalty conversion rate, having scored all 6 penalties he'd taken in his career. Schick, on the other hand, had missed 4 out of 14 penalties, a success rate of only 71%. Furthermore, ten Hag had designated Palacios as Leverkusen's primary penalty taker.

After a brief tussle, team captain Robert Andrich intervened, persuading Palacios to let Schick take the penalty. A visibly frustrated Palacios threw the ball away, forcing Andrich to retrieve another for Schick, who converted the penalty, putting Leverkusen 3-1 ahead. Despite their advantage, Leverkusen conceded two late goals, ultimately drawing the match.

Ten Hag later admitted his players disregarded his instructions for Palacios to take the penalty. Andrich expressed his hope that he "would never have to resolve such a dispute again". This incident underscored deeper issues within the team, stemming from the departure of key players and ten Hag's management style.

Leverkusen experienced a significant exodus of talent during the summer. Coach Xabi Alonso departed for Real Madrid, while playmaker Florian Wirtz and defender Jeremie Frimpong joined Liverpool. Center-back Jonathan Tah moved to Bayern on a free transfer, midfielder Granit Xhaka returned to the Premier League, and team captain and goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky also left, creating a void in both skill and leadership.

While these departures were anticipated, their impact was substantial. The team lacked leaders both on and off the field. Even during their pre-season tour in Brazil, German media reported a disconnect between ten Hag and the players, many of whom struggled to adapt to his direct communication style and rigorous training methods.

According to The Athletic, ten Hag frequently yelled at players during training sessions and matches, contrasting sharply with Alonso's more approachable demeanor. Many of the remaining players felt stifled by ten Hag's demanding, authoritarian approach. Under Alonso, players had greater respect for the coach, who often demonstrated his points by joining in training sessions himself. Alonso’s playing ability and relative youth resonated more with the players than ten Hag.

Ten Hag also clashed with support staff, including physiotherapists, doctors, nutritionists, team organizers, and even his new coaching staff. His training sessions were unusually long and emphasized push-ups over ball movement and passing drills, puzzling many players.

Coach Erik ten Hag during Leverkusen's victory over Sonnenhof Grossaspach in the first round of the German Cup at WIRmachenDRUCK Stadium, Aspach, Germany, on 15/8/2025. Photo: Reuters

Coach Erik ten Hag during Leverkusen's victory over Sonnenhof Grossaspach in the first round of the German Cup at WIRmachenDRUCK Stadium, Aspach, Germany, on 15/8/2025. Photo: Reuters

Coming from an affluent background, with his father, Hennie, heading a successful real estate company since 1967, and his family owning several financial firms, ten Hag was known for his disciplined, uncompromising approach, even with superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo during his time at Manchester United. This conflict ultimately led to Ronaldo's departure from the club in late 2022.

After the Bremen match, midfielder Malik Tillman revealed that ten Hag had berated the players in the locker room, accusing them of "playing like children, not men". Even Tillman, a new signing who scored in his Leverkusen debut, felt compelled to speak out, illustrating the growing divide between the coach and the team.

New captain Andrich also acknowledged internal issues, stating that "too many people are playing for themselves," a clear indication of a team losing faith.

Leverkusen's management acted swiftly, dismissing ten Hag after just two Bundesliga matches. Sporting director Simon Rolfes admitted the decision was undesirable but necessary. "We felt things were going in the wrong direction," Rolfes said. "If we continued, the team would make bigger mistakes. Therefore, the decision had to be made right before the international break, as soon as possible."

While the responsibility for the team's struggles doesn't solely rest with the coach, Leverkusen's players displayed a lack of focus, discipline, and team spirit. Ultimately, management prioritized faith in their project. Last season's success under Alonso reinforced their belief in their current model, making ten Hag the odd man out. Between the players and the coach, Leverkusen chose the collective.

Ten Hag's departure resulted in a 7 million USD severance package for his two months of service. Having been fired by two teams in less than a year, the 55-year-old coach's future in top-flight football remains uncertain.

Hoang An (according to Bild, Athletic)