Erik ten Hag: Former Man Utd manager emerges as target for European giants

Bayer Leverkusen have added former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag to their shortlist of summer targets, according to reports in Germany.

Ten Hag has been out of work since departing United in October 2024. He spent just over two years at Old Trafford and signed a new contract last summer, only to be relieved of his duties 14 games into the current campaign.

A return to management could be on the cards this summer as kicker were the first to reveal that Ten Hag is a key target for Leverkusen.

Leverkusen are preparing for what they believe is the inevitable departure of current boss Xabi Alonso. The Spaniard is expected to replace Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid manager, even though the latter's exit from the Bernabeu has been plunged into uncertainty in recent hours.

From Leverkusen's perspective, they are confident Alonso will be leaving to join Madrid and have started drawing up a shortlist which includes three candidates. Alongside Ten Hag, there is interest in former Barcelona boss Xavi and Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Fabian Hurzeler.

Of the trio, it is Ten Hag and Xavi who are seen as the strongest candidates because of their immediate availability. Hurzeler would command a significant fee to release him from his contract with Brighton, whereas the two other options are currently without clubs, removing the extra layer of negotiations and costs.

Sky Sports Germany describe Ten Hag as a "serious candidate" for Leverkusen. The Dutchman comes with experience of German football, having operated as the manager of Bayern Munich's reserve side between 2013 and 2015.

Ten Hag was strongly linked with another Bundesliga side, Borussia Dortmund, earlier this year, having regularly attended games due to his close relationship with club official Matthias Sammer, but a return to management in the summer was always seen as the most likely outcome for Ten Hag.

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