Bayer Leverkusen Captain Slams Teammates as Ten Hag Faces Early Bundesliga Crisis

Bayer Leverkusen’s season has barely begun, but already the storm clouds are gathering over the BayArena. A chaotic 3-3 draw with 10-man Werder Bremen has left the club without a Bundesliga win under new manager Erik ten Hag, sparking questions over team unity, tactical direction, and even the Dutchman’s job security.

At the heart of the fallout is captain Robert Andrich, who didn’t hold back in his assessment of his side’s performance. His words cut through the noise: too many players are “playing for themselves” rather than for the team. For a club that finished as runners-up last season and were champions the year before, the sense of disarray is as alarming as it is unexpected.

Leverkusen Captain Slams Teammates After Bremen Collapse

The Bremen match was supposed to be a chance for Leverkusen to get back on track after a stuttering start under Ten Hag. Instead, it became a painful illustration of everything currently wrong with the squad.

Leverkusen twice led by two goals, only to throw it away in the dying minutes against a Bremen side reduced to ten men. From a position of control, the Werkself descended into chaos. To make matters worse, television cameras captured several Leverkusen players squabbling over who should take a penalty when leading 2-1 — an argument that perfectly encapsulated the lack of cohesion Andrich would later highlight.

After the match, the captain didn’t mince his words:

“Everyone played for themselves, everyone ran around the pitch on their own,” he fumed. “We have too many players who are preoccupied with other things or only with themselves. I don’t know if I’ve ever experienced that at Bayer.”

His frustration boiled over further when asked about the closing stages: “The disastrous final phase was a symbol of our current situation. This has nothing to do with unrest, player transfers, or legal proceedings. This is us, not functioning as a team.”

“We Can’t Play Rock, Paper, Scissors” – The Penalty Incident

Bayer 04 Leverkusen v TSG Hoffenheim – Bundesliga

Of all the embarrassing moments on display, the penalty saga was the one that truly captured the dysfunction. While leading 2-1, Leverkusen had the chance to stretch their advantage and likely kill the game. Instead, several players bickered over who should take it, standing around indecisively as Bremen regrouped.

Andrich was visibly unimpressed. “That was also a signal to the opponent. They see: They’re leading 2-1, could make it 3-1, and are discussing a penalty first. These are the little things that build up an opponent. We can’t stand around for two minutes and play rock-paper-scissors to see who’s going to take the penalty. That’s one of many things that aren’t going well for us at the moment.”

In elite football, moments of weakness are punished ruthlessly, and Bremen’s late rally was proof of that. For Leverkusen, a team that once prided itself on sharpness and discipline, this was a worrying sign.

Erik Ten Hag Under Immediate Pressure

For Erik ten Hag, the situation could hardly be more precarious. Just weeks into his tenure, German magazine Kicker has already reported that his job is under threat. His arrival was supposed to represent a fresh start after a turbulent period at Manchester United. Instead, he finds himself battling to establish authority and identity in a squad that appears fractured.

Last season’s Leverkusen side may have fallen just short of the Bundesliga title, but they were admired for their clarity of play and fighting spirit. Under Ten Hag, however, the early signs point to confusion. A summer of squad overhaul has not helped, but the manager cannot escape scrutiny when his team looks so disconnected.

The parallels to his time in England are difficult to ignore. Questions about man-management, dressing-room control, and his ability to win over players are once again resurfacing. For Leverkusen’s board, the stakes are high: do they back their new coach in hopes of long-term stability, or do they act quickly to avoid falling further behind in a competitive Bundesliga?

Crucial Fixtures Loom Large

The timing of the crisis could not be worse. Leverkusen’s upcoming fixtures are season-defining. They host Eintracht Frankfurt on September 12, before travelling to Borussia Mönchengladbach in what will be a high-pressure away clash. Then, their Champions League campaign begins with a trip to Copenhagen — a stage where a shaky performance could magnify their problems.

For Ten Hag, these games represent more than just opportunities for points. They are auditions to prove he can galvanise the squad and restore order. Anything less than positive results will intensify calls for change.

What’s Next for Bayer Leverkusen?

There’s no denying that Leverkusen are in crisis mode far earlier than anyone expected. Andrich’s outburst, while brutally honest, may also serve as a rallying cry — a public demand for accountability that could force players to refocus on collective goals rather than personal agendas.

The truth is simple: Leverkusen have the talent to compete at the very top. But talent without cohesion is a recipe for mediocrity. Whether Ten Hag can instil the structure, belief, and discipline required remains to be seen.

For now, all eyes will be on the training ground, the dressing room, and the next 90 minutes. A club of Leverkusen’s stature cannot afford prolonged dysfunction. The clock is ticking, and both captain and coach know it.

Final Thoughts

Football can turn quickly. Just months ago, Leverkusen were viewed as one of Germany’s most stable and exciting projects. Now, a few matches into a new season, they are facing questions of leadership, unity, and direction.

Robert Andrich has sounded the alarm with his raw assessment. Erik ten Hag, meanwhile, finds himself under a pressure cooker he has experienced before. For Leverkusen fans, the hope is that this public reckoning is the spark that reignites the squad. For Ten Hag, it might be his final chance to prove that he can truly manage at the elite level.