Ajax forced to look for Farioli replacement elsewhere as old flame Erik ten Hag nears Bayer Leverkusen job | OneFootball

According to well-informed reports from German sources to SoccerNews NL, Erik ten Hag is the main candidate to become the new head coach of Bayer Leverkusen.

The Bundesliga club are looking for a replacement for Xabi Alonso, who is leaving for Real Madrid, and have seemingly ended up with Ten Hag, according to Mounir Boualin. This means bad news for Ajax, who also wanted to bring him in following the departure of Francesco Farioli.

Ten Hag has been linked with a move to Bayer Leverkusen for some time. Cesc Fàbregas, who impressed at Italian Como in recent seasons, was also high on the German wish list. SoccerNews understands that Ten Hag is the main candidate to succeed Alonso at Leverkusen.

The 55-year-old coach from Haaksbergen is also said to be interested in a new adventure in Germany, where he previously worked at Bayern Munich as a coach of the reserve team. Both parties are in the final phase of contract negotiations.

Alonso made a name for himself in the 2023-2024 season as he guided his side to the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal crowns. He also reached the Europa League final. Last season was less successful, but Alonso’s team still finished second behind champions Bayern Munich.

Ten Hag has been without a club since his dismissal from Manchester United and was high on the Ajax list of Farioli replacements. Technical director Alex Kroes admitted this week that he had already spoken with Ten Hag, who is seen in Amsterdam as the ‘dream successor’ of the departed Italian.

Kroes will therefore have to look elsewhere. Go Ahead Eagles coach Paul Simonis and Jong Oranje national coach Michael Reiziger have already been said to be important candidates. Although Simonis has extended his contract by one year in Deventer, he would be allowed to leave if a top club comes forward for him.

GBeNeFN | Max Bradfield