Bayer Leverkusen Shortlist Marco Rose After Sacking Erik ten Hag

What Happened at Bayer Leverkusen?

When Bayer Leverkusen announced that Erik ten Hag had been dismissed just 60 days into his tenure, the football world reacted with a mix of shock and inevitability. Shock, because few managers are shown the door after only two league matches. Inevitable, because behind the scenes, murmurs of discontent had already begun circulating about the Dutchman’s methods.

Ten Hag’s arrival at the BayArena was supposed to signal a fresh era. The club had invested heavily over the summer, rebuilding a squad with the intention of mixing youth and experience. Supporters, still buoyed by memories of last season’s highs and lows, expected a side capable of pushing for European football once again. Instead, what they got was disjointed football, lethargic training sessions, and—according to several reports—a coach who struggled to connect emotionally with his players.

Within weeks, the alarm bells were ringing. Players reportedly questioned the intensity of training. Senior figures inside the dressing room complained about a lack of clear tactical direction. And the boardroom, never known for its patience, quickly lost faith. By the time the second league fixture ended in disappointment, the decision had already been made: Ten Hag had to go.

Why Marco Rose Is on the Shortlist

Among the many names floated—Edin Terzic, Xavi, Jose Mourinho, and even Real Madrid legend Raúl—one stands out: Marco Rose.

Rose first caught wider European attention during his time at Red Bull Salzburg. There, he lifted back-to-back Austrian Bundesliga titles and a domestic cup, not to mention guiding the club’s U19s to victory in the UEFA Youth League. At Borussia Mönchengladbach, he translated that energy into a Bundesliga context, helping the club qualify for the Champions League.

A move to Dortmund followed, though it ended earlier than many expected. Then came Leipzig, where he enjoyed immediate success—winning the DFB-Pokal and DFL-Supercup in his first season. However, inconsistency in the league eventually led to his dismissal this past March.

For Leverkusen, Rose represents an attractive option. He is German, knows the Bundesliga inside out, and already has a reputation for molding young squads into dynamic, high-energy units.

Marco Rose

The Bigger Picture for Leverkusen

This managerial change isn’t just about results—it’s about identity. Leverkusen have long wrestled with the question of who they are as a club. For decades, they’ve carried the tag of being nearly men: competitive, stylish at times, but rarely the ones lifting silverware.

The summer rebuild was supposed to change that narrative. Big signings were made, young talent was nurtured, and the board emphasized a vision of technical, attacking football. For that vision to work, however, the coach must embody it. Ten Hag never convinced anyone he was that man. Rose, by contrast, fits the bill on paper: fluent in English, comfortable in the Bundesliga, and experienced at managing dressing rooms full of ambition.

Did You Know? Behind the Scenes of the Sacking

What makes Ten Hag’s dismissal fascinating is just how early it came. Clubs usually wait until the autumn international break before pulling the trigger, giving managers at least five or six matches to settle in. Not Leverkusen. The decision came after just two league games.

According to insiders, this wasn’t a knee-jerk reaction. It was calculated. Concerns about his training sessions and reluctance to adapt had been growing. Some players are even said to have privately expressed relief at the decision. At a club with ambitions as high as Leverkusen’s, once the dressing room loses faith, recovery is nearly impossible.

What Next for Bayer Leverkusen?

Bayer 04 Leverkusen v Pisa SC – Pre-Season Friendly

The criteria for the new coach are clear:

• Must be fluent in English.

• Must play attractive, technical football.

• Must quickly build cohesion in a squad rebuilt over the summer.

Rose checks all those boxes. But Raúl, Xavi, and Mourinho were also considered before being ruled out for various reasons. The decision will reveal Leverkusen’s long-term vision: do they want to double down on attacking football and youth development, or pivot toward experience and pragmatism?

Final Thoughts

In football, timing is everything. Erik ten Hag may feel he wasn’t given a fair shot, and in some ways, he’s probably right. But at Bayer Leverkusen, where expectations are sky-high and patience is thin, he was never going to get the luxury of time.

Marco Rose, if appointed, will know that. His task will be to not only win matches but to win hearts quickly. Leverkusen fans crave stability and silverware. Whether Rose is that man remains to be seen, but the next appointment will define the club’s season—and possibly its identity for years to come.