Report: Leverkusen close to agreement with Erik ten Hag

Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly close to an agreement with former Ajax and Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag as their new helmsman should Xabi Alonso be leaving after the season.

Kicker sports magazine said on Friday that talks with 55-year-old Dutchman ten Hag were at an advanced stage, with Leverkusen interested in a smooth transition like in the past.

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Alonso has been linked with a move to Real Madrid where he formerly was a player and where Carlo Ancelotti is expected not to last beyond the season.

Alonso has been at Leverkusen since October 2021 and led them to a historic unbeaten Bundesliga and German Cup double last season. He has a contract until 2026 but can leave earlier for a club he has formerly played for.

Ten Hag coached Ajax 2017-2022, winning three Eredivisie and two Dutch Cups. He then joined United where he won the League Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024 before being dismissed last October.

He has coached in Germany before, in charge of Bayern Munich's reserve team 2013-2015.