In the first round of the 2025-26 Bundesliga season, Bayer Leverkusen will host Hoffenheim at home. Leverkusen manager Erik ten Hag attended the pre-match press conference on Friday, looking ahead to his Bundesliga debut, while also discussing the team’s major squad changes and new signings’ adaptation progress.
This summer, following head coach Xavi Alonso’s departure from Leverkusen, key players including Wirtz, Frimpong, Xhaka, Jonathan Tah, Hradecky, and Adli also left the club. Striker Boniface is set to join Milan, dismantling the core framework that led Leverkusen to the 2023-24 double title. Ahead of the new Bundesliga season, new manager ten Hag stated his desire to start a brand-new era at Leverkusen.
Ten Hag on his upcoming Bundesliga debut
I’m really excited! No team has a smooth ride at the start of a season, but there’s a really, really good team spirit in the dressing room, and the team is making progress together. This lays a solid foundation for the start of the new season. Additionally, there’s also a special connection between the team and the fans, which we saw last week in the DFB-Pokal—this really left a deep impression on me.
When team spirit and everyone’s mindset are good, we have a great chance to succeed. The new players have already integrated into Leverkusen’s culture.
Hoffenheim have won all eight of their pre-season friendlies with a 40-5 goals record and thrashed Rostock 4-0 in the first round of the DFB-Pokal. They’re in red-hot form—how will you deal with them?
Bundesliga matches are never easy, that’s for sure. Hoffenheim are in great form; they have an excellent manager and a strong squad. We must give our all.
On Leverkusen’s squad
We still have many experienced players, including core members: Flekken, Tapsoba, Andrich, and Schick. They’re all very experienced, and the squad is well-balanced. We also have some players who embody Leverkusen’s cultural traits, and the same goes for the coaching staff—that’s really great.
On Leverkusen’s major squad changes this summer window
Every era, every phase, comes to an end at some point. Now it’s time to start a new and successful phase, and all of us—including the backroom staff—are working towards that every day.
Update on Leverkusen’s player availability
Similar to the DFB-Pokal match against Großaspach, Palacios, Hofmann, Terrier, Bellosián, and Malik Tillman will miss the match against Hoffenheim. New signing Badé is also likely to be unavailable, but he looks good for next week’s games. Other players are also improving their physical condition.
On new signing Echeverri
He’s in excellent physical condition and a natural ball-carrier (laughs). Of course, he can start.
What can Leverkusen fans expect from the team this season?
We’ll give our all, take the pitch with a winner’s mentality, good spirit, and strong team ethos. We’ll do everything to win tomorrow’s game, and we’re confident we can do so.
On giving young players opportunities
I’m not someone who hands out opportunities easily. I’ve always said this at Ajax: “Young players need to earn their minutes (through their performances in training).” They need to prove themselves in training and then earn their playing time.
