Ten Hag has no magic solution for Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen and Erik ten Hag will be hoping to get their Bundesliga season back on track against Werder Bremen this weekend.
Ten Hag watched on as his Leverkusen side was beaten 2-1 by Hoffenheim on the opening matchday of the 2025-2026 campaign, with Tim Lemperle scoring a 52nd-minute winner.
The Dutchman, while acknowledging improvements needed to be made, said it should not come as a shock given the overhaul of his squad over the past couple of months.
As well as losing previous boss Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid, the likes of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Amine Adli, Jonathan Tah and Granit Xhaka have all left the club.
In addition, Piero Hincapie has been linked with a move to Arsenal, which could be confirmed before Leverkusen takes on Werder Bremen this weekend.
"Pressure is always there and we must win. That's clear," Ten Hag said. "I am no Harry Potter. We will work to take a step forward.
"We know the reasons [for the Hoffenheim defeat]. We have corrected it and need to apply it now. We must always win.
"We have to win every game and find a way to do it. We did it well a few times in the pre-season, but not well last week."
Leverkusen has aimed to combat those departures, with 15 new faces joining Ten Hag's ranks, and he revealed that he expects some more additions in the coming days.
"Let us wait," Ten Hag added. "In the final days or hours, anything can happen. There are always surprises. This has been a very busy transfer window.
"One or two things could still happen on the weekend for us and for the whole transfer market. On Tuesday we will know what it will look like."
One of Leverkusen's recent pieces of business has seen it welcome the experienced Lucas Vazquez from Real Madrid after his departure from the club in July.
Vazquez enjoyed a trophy-laden 10 years with Madrid, winning 23 trophies during his time in the Spanish capital, including four LaLiga titles and five UEFA Champions League crowns.
He made 402 appearances for Los Blancos in all competitions, scoring 38 goals and registering 59 assists before departing after their FIFA Club World Cup campaign.
Vazquez spoke of his positive conversations with former Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso about his time in Germany.
The Spaniard also had chats with Dani Carvajal, who spent one season at Leverkusen, and Toni Kroos, who had seven years of Bundesliga experience with Bayern Munich.
"They told me a lot of positive things about Bayer 04, advised me to make the move and said that the atmosphere at the club is very friendly," Vazquez said.
"Therefore, it was an option I definitely wanted to take advantage of. What I've seen so far definitely confirms those thoughts.
"Everybody's told me how great it is to live here, that it's a good place for me and my family and that the people here are very respectful.
"Therefore, I'm already looking forward to getting to know the German culture. I think it will be a great adventure here in Germany."
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