In the summer of 2025, Bayer Leverkusen had to part ways with coach Xabi Alonso - who moved to Real Madrid. Rising superstar Florian Wirtz and full-back Jeremie Frimpong join Liverpool, while Jonathan Tah joins Bayern Munich.
All of these departures were more or less predictable, and completed in the first weeks of the transfer window. The reason for a series of key players saying goodbye to Bayer Leverkusen this summer may stem from Alonso's move to lead Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, coach Erik ten Hag was appointed partly because the board believes his reputation will help Leverkusen attract new signings.
"The way we play football - overwhelming attack, technique - is very much in line with his philosophy. He has also proven his ability to bring talents to world class many times before" - Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes shared after Ten Hag officially took office.
The Dutch strategist is determined to recreate his image after more than two and a half stormy years at Manchester United. When he arrived at Old Trafford, the "Red Devils" were hungry for a new start and hoped the former Ajax coach could turn things around.
Despite finishing his first season in third place in the Premier League and winning the Carabao Cup, Ten Hag has suffered the same fate as many of his predecessors.
"The problem is no longer at Manchester United, that is over. I am happy to be back and have really enjoyed the past few weeks," Ten Hag said after the 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
Leaving Man United to go to Bayer Leverkusen gave Ten Hag the feeling of returning to where he had achieved success. Ajax was once a "golden land" for young talents, and Leverkusen are also aiming to become a similar model.
Before taking the spot, Ten Hag consulted PSV Eindhoven manager Peter Bosz - who led Leverkusen between 2018 and 2021. In terms of the scale of the club and the city, Leverkusen brings the feeling of a family football team, although behind is the giant chemical group Bayer.
In order to cope with the loss of some key players, Sports Director Simon Rolfes has brought in promising young faces. They include 19-year-old midfielder Ibrahim Maza from Hertha Berlin, former Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah and US star Malik Tillman from PSV.
Although Tillman is a different type of player compared to Florian Wirtz, he is still considered the successor to the German national team. Of course, this could be too big an expectation for the 23-year-old Leverkusen new signing.
"Wirtz is still very young, but has had a big impact on the playing style of Leverkusen and the German national team. We have to find a replacement for him together. That is almost impossible, but we will try our best" - Ten Hag said.
