New Bayer Leverkusen manager Erik ten Hag has made it clear that the current size of his squad is insufficient for the challenges of the upcoming season. With just 24 first-team players at his disposal, the Dutch coach voiced concern about the impact of recent exits and the likelihood of further departures in the coming weeks.
The squad has already been weakened by a series of summer exits, and the potential losses of goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky, who is nearing a move to AS Monaco, and forward Amine Adli could reduce the group to just 22 senior players. For a club preparing to compete in the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League, such numbers fall short of what’s required.
Coach urges reinforcements
Speaking after a pre-season friendly at the club’s training base in Rio de Janeiro, ten Hag underlined the difficulties that come with rebuilding during a transitional summer. “You can’t stop players from moving on in professional football,” he told Kicker, acknowledging the nature of the game. “But when four or five players leave at once, it becomes a major obstacle to keep progressing.”
Ten Hag stressed that the entire organization—from players to executives—must contribute to the team’s renewal. While he admitted that forming a new group capable of competing at the top would take time, he also noted that the early signs of a new foundation were already emerging.
Top-four ambition still intact
Despite the hurdles, ten Hag remains focused on securing a Champions League spot by the end of the campaign. However, to stay on course for a top-four finish, he insists that four or five new signings are essential. With the transfer window still open for another month, he believes there is still an opportunity to act.
“We must strengthen the squad if we are to achieve our objective,” he said. “There’s still time to make adjustments, but we need reinforcements now to stay competitive on all fronts.”
