Erik Ten Hag’s first game in charge of Bayer Leverkusen ended in a 5-1 thrashing by Flamengo’s Under-20 side, but the Dutch manager isn’t concerned about the result.
Erik Ten Hag’s first game as Bayer Leverkusen’s manager didn’t quite go as planned.
His side was thumped 5-1 by Flamengo’s Under-20 team in a pre-season friendly. Despite the humiliating scoreline, Ten Hag remained unfazed, stating that he doesn’t “really give a s***” about pre-season results.
The Dutch manager’s focus is on the bigger picture, and he’s more concerned about not losing any players to injuries rather than the outcome of the game. Ten Hag believes that the young players in his team should not be judged too harshly, given the high expectations at Leverkusen.
Leverkusen’s goalkeeper, Lukas Hradecky, shared Ten Hag’s sentiments, acknowledging that the team’s opponents were a talented young side. Hradecky was impressed by Flamengo’s U-20s’ quality and believed they deserved the win. The defeat may have been a humbling experience for Leverkusen, but it could serve as a valuable lesson for the young players.
Ten Hag’s comments suggest that he’s prioritizing the development of his young players over short-term results.
As Leverkusen prepares for the new season, Ten Hag will be looking to build on the success of his predecessor, Xabi Alonso, who led the team to a historic Bundesliga title and DFB-Pokal win two seasons ago.
The 5-1 loss to Flamengo’s U-20s may have raised some eyebrows, but Ten Hag’s reaction shows that he’s focused on the long-term goals of the club. With his experience and expertise, Ten Hag is well-equipped to guide Leverkusen back to winning ways.
