Fans Slam Erik ten Hag After Woeful First Game

Football fans have been tearing into former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag after his humiliating first game in charge of Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen. Ten Hag was announced as Xabi Alonso’s replacement at the BayArena in May, following confirmation that the Spaniard would succeed Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid.

It is Ten Hag’s first job since his unceremonious sacking from the Theatre of Dreams in 2024, as his United side continued to struggle following a dismal 2023/24 campaign that was saved only by their FA Cup success. While the Dutchman would no doubt have been hoping to hit the ground running with his new employers, he couldn’t have asked for a worse start and the 55-year-old has been ridiculed online as a result.

White Black Modern Photo Collage Before After Youtube Thumbnail - 2025-06-25T210443.301

Why Erik ten Hag Has Already ‘Annoyed’ Some of the Bayer Leverkusen Squad

One of his players could already push to leave.

Ten Hag’s Leverkusen Embarrassed by Youth Team

The Dutchman led his team against Flamengo’s Under 20s

Ten Hag led his team out for their first game of pre-season in the heat of Brazil as his Leverkusen side took on Flamengo’s U20s youth team. Plenty of senior names were included in the starting XI, with new goalkeeper and former Brentford man Mark Flekken in between the sticks, Victor Boniface leading the line and other notable figures including Granit Xhaka, Alejandro Grimaldo and Edmond Tapsoba taking their places on the bench.

On paper, there was more than enough experience and quality for the German side to come out unscathed, but fans were left shellshocked as Ten Hag watched his men fall to a 4-0 deficit before half-time. This would quicklt extend to 5-0 within 10 minutes of the second period, with 17-year-old Montrell Culbreath only able to add a consolation goal late in the second 45.

As a result, Ten Hag has been ripped to shreds on social media as he makes his return to management. One said on X: “Erik Ten Hag could make history as the first coach to get sacked after losing a game in pre-season,” which led to one response in the comments that added: “Losing to an U20 team is disastrous.”

A third reveled in the upset, saying: “Ten Hag getting smoked. Brings great smile to my face,” while a fourth gleefully stated: “Erik ten Hag might be actually finished at top level.”