Bayer Leverkusen head coach Erik ten Hag has spoken candidly about the challenges facing the club following the departures of two key players, Florian Wirtz and Granit Xhaka. In a recent interview with German football magazine Kicker, the Dutchman also laid out his vision for the club’s transfer strategy and how the team plans to move forward.
“Top-level football means change, that’s reality”
Addressing the recent exits, Ten Hag didn’t shy away from the truth: “When players like Wirtz and Xhaka leave, it’s simply the reality of football at the highest level. Players come and go. That’s something we can’t avoid.”
While he acknowledged the difficulty of losing several first-team players in a single window, he remained pragmatic: “Ideally, you don’t want to lose four or five players in one summer. It disrupts the momentum we’ve built. But again, this is the reality, and we have to deal with it.”
A Test for the Entire Club
Ten Hag admitted that the departures would test the club’s strength and unity: “Even if we lose some of our core players, we’re still committed to building a competitive team. That’s the challenge, one that affects everyone, from the players and coaching staff to the board.”
He continued, “This is the beginning of a new era for us. It’s not just about replacing talent, but about reshaping our identity and continuing to move forward.”
Reinforcements on the Way
With the transfer window still open for another month, Ten Hag confirmed that Leverkusen will be active in the market.
“We still need four or five players to complete the squad. There’s still time, and anything can happen in the transfer window. I won’t rule out any possibilities.”
Though he expressed a desire to keep the current squad intact, he was honest about the unpredictability of football: “Of course, we’d love to keep everyone, but nothing is guaranteed. The market changes quickly, and we have to stay flexible.”
What Lies Ahead for Leverkusen?
The departure of Florian Wirtz, one of Europe’s brightest young stars, along with midfield general Granit Xhaka, marks a pivotal moment for Leverkusen. As they prepare for the new Bundesliga season, Ten Hag’s leadership and the club’s recruitment strategy will be under the spotlight.
Whether Leverkusen can maintain their status as title contenders or find themselves in a transitional phase will depend heavily on how the next few weeks unfold. But one thing is clear: Ten Hag is ready to lead the team into a new chapter, no matter how challenging it may be.
