In a surprising and unprecedented move, German club Bayer Leverkusen decided to terminate the contract of their Dutch coach Erik Ten Hag just 60 days after his appointment, following the team's three official matches without a win.

According to what was revealed by the German newspaper "Bild", tensions began early in July when Ten Hag insisted on keeping the team captain Granit Xhaka, considering him an essential part of his new project. However, the club's management allowed his departure to Sunderland, causing the first public disagreement between the two parties.

As the season began, clear signs of confusion appeared in training and tactical plans, as the coach relied on unfamiliar pressing exercises for the players, raising questions about their effectiveness. He also faced criticism for unclear technical instructions and a cold relationship with the coaching staff.

One of the controversial situations that puzzled both players and management was his refusal to give any motivational speech before the match against Hoffenheim in the league opener, which is a rare behavior from a coach with extensive experience in the European arena.

The results were not in Ten Hag's favor, as the team lost to Hoffenheim and then squandered a lead against Werder Bremen, leaving without any official victory, prompting Leverkusen's management to describe the short period with him as evidence of the impossibility of building a successful team under his leadership.