Erik ten Hag Under Pressure Already? Bayer Leverkusen Growing Concerned After Hoffenheim Defeat

The Bundesliga season is only a week old, yet the conversation around Bayer Leverkusen’s new head coach Erik ten Hag has already taken a sharp and uncomfortable turn. Following a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Hoffenheim on the opening day, questions are being asked inside the club about whether the Dutchman’s vision is taking shape—or if it’s getting lost in translation.

For a club still basking in the glow of Xabi Alonso’s historic title-winning campaign, the contrast in philosophies between the old and new boss could hardly have been starker. According to reports from Kicker, there’s already unease at board level over Ten Hag’s early missteps, both on and off the pitch.

Ten Hag’s Philosophy Nowhere to Be Seen

One of the most noticeable criticisms from the Hoffenheim loss was the lack of an identifiable tactical plan. Ten Hag arrived in Germany with a reputation for high-intensity football: pressing, counter-pressing, and quick ball circulation were all supposed to be non-negotiable. Yet none of those qualities were visible in Leverkusen’s first competitive outing.

Instead, the performance was described as flat, fragmented, and worryingly disjointed. The pressing was half-hearted, the midfield compactness non-existent, and the transitions sluggish. For a coach who built his reputation at Ajax on well-drilled, disciplined structures, it was a sobering start.

It isn’t just the performance itself raising eyebrows but also the coach’s preparation. Internal sources suggest his match briefings and motivational speeches haven’t resonated with the squad in the way Alonso’s did. Players who grew used to the Spaniard’s clarity and energy are reportedly struggling to adapt to Ten Hag’s more rigid approach.

Tactical Decisions Under the Microscope

Perhaps the biggest talking point from the defeat was Ten Hag’s decision to move Aleix Garcia—a player known for his composure and vision in central midfield—out to the right wing. It was a move that baffled many, weakening the spine of the team while simultaneously nullifying the strengths of one of their key summer signings.

The experiment didn’t pay off. Garcia looked uncomfortable, the midfield lost its shape, and Hoffenheim capitalised. While it’s not unusual for managers to make bold tactical adjustments, doing so on your debut, with a squad still learning your methods, is risky business.

This sort of tinkering was perhaps more forgivable in Ten Hag’s early Manchester United days, where a chaotic squad lacked balance. But in Leverkusen, where the shadow of Alonso’s tactical mastery still looms large, such decisions only invite harsher scrutiny.

A Summer of Upheaval

Bayer 04 Leverkusen v TSG Hoffenheim – Bundesliga Erik Ten Hag

To be fair to Ten Hag, he hasn’t inherited an easy situation. The Leverkusen squad he takes charge of is very different from the one Alonso guided to glory last season. Four pillars of that title-winning side have departed: Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka, Lukas Hradecky, and Jonathan Tah.

Losing that quartet in one window was always going to require major surgery, and the club did move quickly in the transfer market. The arrivals of Malik Tillman, Jarell Quansah, Loic Bade, and Lucas Vazquez signaled ambition, while Garcia was meant to add control in midfield. But squad cohesion takes time, and patience—two luxuries not often afforded to a manager when expectations are sky high.

Ten Hag hasn’t helped himself either. His public call during pre-season for “four to five more signings” did not go down well with the hierarchy. For a club that had already spent big and was looking to back its new coach, the demand was seen by some as a lack of gratitude and by others as a veiled critique of the club’s planning.

Leverkusen’s Patience Will Be Tested

Bayer 04 Leverkusen v TSG Hoffenheim – Bundesliga

What happens next could define Ten Hag’s time in Germany. Leverkusen face Werder Bremen in their second match, and while it’s far too early for panic buttons, another poor display would only deepen the doubts.

The Bundesliga is a demanding environment, and while Leverkusen fans may still be dreaming of back-to-back title challenges, the reality is that Alonso’s departure was always going to usher in a period of adjustment. The question is whether Ten Hag can provide stability during that transition or whether his methods will clash too sharply with the identity the club has built.

There’s also the issue of optics. After Alonso’s charisma and tactical genius, Ten Hag feels like a very different character—more reserved, more methodical, but perhaps less inspirational. At Manchester United, this occasionally worked in his favour, helping him to shield players from the media storm. At Leverkusen, where buy-in from the squad and clarity of message were central to last year’s success, the lack of visible passion might become a stumbling block.

The Road Ahead

It’s worth remembering that managers can recover from poor starts. Even at Ajax, Ten Hag had teething problems before he established his style and led the club to domestic dominance and a Champions League semi-final. The ingredients are there for him to succeed in Germany too—talented young players, a supportive fanbase, and a club infrastructure that believes in long-term planning.

But football is rarely patient, and Leverkusen’s hierarchy will be watching closely over the next few weeks. If the pressing game suddenly clicks, if Garcia and the midfield settle, and if results follow, this early turbulence may soon be forgotten. If not, the pressure will intensify quickly.

For now, Ten Hag’s challenge is twofold: to instill his philosophy on the pitch and to win the dressing room’s trust off it. Both tasks are easier said than done, especially when following in the footsteps of a coach who delivered history.

Conclusion: Erik ten Hag Already Under Pressure

It may seem harsh to judge a coach after just one league match, but such is the reality of modern football—and especially at a club like Bayer Leverkusen, who tasted glory so recently. Ten Hag’s start has been rocky, his philosophy invisible, and his tactical calls questioned.

The Werder Bremen fixture already feels bigger than it should, not because a title race hangs in the balance, but because early perceptions in football harden quickly. For Erik ten Hag, the task is clear: restore faith, restore identity, and show Leverkusen why the club chose him as the man to succeed Xabi Alonso.

The pressure is here already. Whether it sparks a revival or a rapid downfall is a story that will unfold in the coming weeks.