Bayer Leverkusen’s managing director Fernando Carro has made a rare public admission that signing Erik ten Hag was a costly error, but he’s standing firm on the club’s decision to pull him out after just two disappointing matches.
The former Manchester United manager’s German adventure turned into a nightmare faster than anyone could have imagined.
Two straight losses to Hoffenheim and Werder Bremen were enough to convince Leverkusen bosses they’d backed the wrong horse, leading to Ten Hag’s swift exit and replacement by former Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand.
“I’d definitely call this a mistake on our part,” Carro told Bild Sport with unusual candor.
“But these things happen in football. Anyone who’s responsible for hiring decisions knows that.
It’s frustrating, sure, but it’s part of the business, and we handled it professionally.”
The speed of Ten Hag’s downfall has shocked the football world, but behind the scenes, cracks were apparently showing from day one.
German media reports suggest the Dutchman butted heads with club leadership over transfer targets, particularly players connected to his agency.
His tactical methods and failure to energize a deflated squad also contributed to the quick decision.
Ten Hag, for his part, pointed to the major squad upheaval during the summer window as the root of his problems.
With several key players departing and new signings still finding their feet, he argued he needed more time to implement his vision.
But Carro wasn’t buying it. “When you realize you’ve made a mistake, you can’t sit around hoping things will magically improve,” he explained, justifying the ruthless call.
The immediate vindication came in Hjulmand’s debut, where Leverkusen bounced back with a convincing 3-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt.
Alejandro Grimaldo was the hero of the hour, netting twice from direct free kicks in a performance that had fans wondering what might have been under different circumstances.
Even more impressive was how the team held together despite losing both Robert Andrich and Equi Fernandez to red cards during the match.
It was exactly the kind of resilience and character that seemed to be missing under Ten Hag’s brief reign.
Now all eyes turn to Hjulmand’s real test: guiding Leverkusen into their Champions League campaign.
The Danish coach will lead his new team against Copenhagen on September 18th, a fixture that carries extra meaning given his previous role with the Danish national team.
