Signing of former Real Madrid player contributed to manager being sacked after three matches – Football España

Last week, Lucas Vazquez completed a move to Bayer Leverkusen, having left Real Madrid as a free agent earlier in the summer. He was brought in by head coach Erik ten Hag, although the former Manchester United was then sacked just days later – despite having only been appointed in July.

Ten Hag arrived at Leverkusen to succeed Xabi Alonso, who took over from Carlo Ancelotti as head coach of Real Madrid at the start of June. But his tenure at the BayArena lasted only three matches, with two of those in the Bundesliga.

Ten Hag was sacked because he was taking Leverkusen “in the wrong direction”, according to sporting director Simon Rolfes. And as per Bild (via MD), Lucas’ arrival was said to be the final dagger for the Dutch manager.

Lucas was signed without ten Hag’s sign off or approval

According to the report from Germany, Lucas was signed behind the back of ten Hag, who did not find out that the former Real Madrid right-back would be joining his squad until his medical tests were complete.

That is why it was seen as the final dagger for ten Hag, as his relationship with Leverkusen was said to be beyond repair after that point. And he was dually relieved on his duties on Monday, after the weekend draw at Werder Bremen.

Lucas, who has yet to make his debut with his new team, will be hoping for a successful spell at Leverkusen, having had many fantastic years as a Real Madrid player. However, his time in Germany has not got off to the best of starts, and he will be hoping that his next head coach will be able to help the 2023-24 Bundesliga winners get back on track – and put the ten Hag episode behind them as soon as possible.