Hag

Clubs from Saudi Arabia and Europe are set to test Manchester United’s desire to hold to captain Bruno Fernandes in January, Napoli lead race to sign his team-mate Kobbie Mainoo, while Barcelona and Liverpool are keen on Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano.

Manchester United’s resolve to keep their captain Bruno Fernandes, 31, is set to be tested in January’s transfer window with clubs in the Saudi Pro League and Europe keen on the Portugal midfielder. (Manchester Evening News), external

Napoli are front runners to sign Manchester United and England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, 20, in January. (Tuttomercatoweb – in Italian), external

Barcelona are set to rival Liverpool to sign France defender Dayot Upamecano, 26, when his contract expires at Bayern Munich next summer. (Fichajes in Spanish), external

Arsenal would accept an offer of around £30m for Gabriel Jesus, 28, with Everton a possible destination for the Brazil forward in January. (Teamtalk), external

Newcastle would love to have Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson, 22, back at the club after selling him 16 months ago. (Mail), external

Manchester City are monitoring the situation of Atletico Madrid and Argentina right-back Nahuel Molina, 27. (Teamtalk), external

Crystal Palace are showing interest in AZ Alkmaar’s midfield prospect Kees Smit, 19, who has played for the Netherlands at U-19 level and attracted scouts from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United. (Mail), external

Ex-Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag could make a sensational return to management and replace fellow Dutchman Johnny Heitinga at former club Ajax following his brief stint at Bayer Leverkusen. (De Telegraaf via Goal), external

Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa’s preference was always to stay at Anfield this season despite interest in the 27-year-old Italian from clubs in his homeland. (The Athletic – subscription required), external

Crystal Palace want Japanese midfielder Daichi Kamada, 29, to extend his stay at Selhurst Park with his contract due to expire next summer. (Sky Sports), external

Bayern Munich are one of the clubs keen on Arsenal’s Dutch defender Jurrien Timber, 24, who has opened talks over a new contract with the Gunners. (Caughtoffside) , external

Incoming Newcastle director of football Ross Wilson will be tasked with reviewing the club’s summer transfer business when he begins the role at St James’ Park. (The I – subscription required), external

Bayern Munich’s German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, 39, is considering extending his playing career beyond 2026 and signing a new contract with the Bavarian club. (Bild – in German), external

ERIK TEN HAG was sacked by Bayer Leverkusen after just two matches due to FIVE major problems.

The former Manchester United was dumped by his new German side after failing to win either of his opening Bundesliga games.

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Ten Hag’s exit came as a shock, with some fans feeling the Dutchman was unfairly treated while following in Xabi Alonso’s footsteps.

Leverkusen bid farewell to numerous title-winning stars including Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Piero Hincapie, with all three now in the Premier League.

And Ten Hag was left to work with a new group of aces whose quality was arguably not as high.

However, Leverkusen bosses were eager to pull the plug after long-standing employees branded him the WORST coach in their club’s history.

BIZARRE APPROACH

Bild now claims there were five key reasons to sack Ten Hag as quickly as possible – with the Dutchman leaving with a DAILY earning of £86,000 thanks to his £5.2million salary and severance package.

First off, it’s claimed that Ten Hag failed to get along with any of his players OR staff – including the ones who arrived with him in July.

He refused to give a “rousing” speech before the first match against Hoffenheim, with the game ending in a 2-1 defeat.

And many of his staff and players were left questioning his bizarre decision to almost downplay the occasion.

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TRANSFER MADNESS

Secondly, the Dutchman was accused of “interfering” with Leverkusen’s transfer plans, including only proposing players from his own agency.

Ten Hag is represented by SEG Football, who represent Rasmus Hojlund and also allegedly batted for Andre Onana and Antony when they joined Man United for huge fees.

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Meanwhile, he publicly vetoed Granit Xhaka’s move to Sunderland, despite an internal agreement for the Swiss ace to move on.

And Leverkusen chiefs went directly against Ten Hag when they granted Xhaka his exit just days later.

Elsewhere, the late arrival of Lucas Vazquez from Real Madrid was made without Ten Hag knowing until AFTER the ace’s contract was signed – highlighting his lack of relationship with club transfer guru Simon Rolfes and ultimately indicating Leverkusen’s decision to move forward without him.

TRAINING PAIN

The third reason for Ten Hag’s exit was his insistence on players doing PUSH UPS during training, ranking it as important as working with the ball.

Stars were used to lots of tactical and technical work under predecessor Alonso, now at Real Madrid.

And Ten Hag’s “unusually long” training sessions, packed with dull physical work, left many unmotivated.

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NO CONNECTION

Fourthly, chiefs were left concerned by the “cold” atmosphere around the club, with Ten Hag’s lack of leadership resulting in a major disconnect at the training ground AND the stadium.

Staff ranging from coaches to nutritionists and physios quickly became disillusioned.

And the recent memories of Alonso’s title-winning reign only further compounded the misery.

TACTICAL DISASTERCLASS

Finally, the proof was in the pudding itself.

Leverkusen lost their first match to Hoffenheim, and then threw away a two-goal lead to draw with 10-men Werder Bremen.

Players were said to be baffled by the lack of ideas and general game plan – and it showed.

Individuals were expected to take decisive actions, but none seemed to work in a consistent tactical manner across the field.

And the only thing Leverkusen chiefs have been left to ponder is whether they should have sacked Ten Hag earlier.

Reports claim former Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou is now being considered as his replacement.

While there is also interest in former Bundesliga managers Marco Rose and Edin Terzic, with a decision set to be made over the international break.

After his short tenure at Bayer Leverkusen, Erik ten Hag is being dubbed Erik Ten Weeks by some critics.

Ten weeks is an exaggeration – his reign was actually one day short of nine weeks, clocking in at 62 days. He lasted just two Bundesliga games.

He was sacked after Leverkusen threw away a 3-1 lead against 10-man Werder Bremen on Saturday, to draw 3-3.

That disappointing result came one week after Leverkusen lost to Hoffenheim in their season opener at home. Ten Hag only won one competitive game – a German Cup tie against a fourth-division side.

The experienced Dutchman was appointed in late May to replace title-winning coach Xabi Alonso, who departed for Real Madrid, but he did not begin work until 1 July.

At first, Leverkusen seemed to be convinced he could lead a partial rebuild, as the Werkself were losing a number of key players, including Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Tah.

But while early results this season were disappointing, they were not the sole reason – or even the main reason – for Ten Hag’s dismissal.

Almost from the start, Ten Hag caused irritation with his decisions and behaviour.

For instance, he rescheduled a friendly against Flamengo’s under-20s team during Leverkusen’s training camp in Brazil. The game was played four days earlier than initially planned and Leverkusen lost 5-1 in quite an upset.

Around the same time, Ten Hag took a stance against Granit Xhaka’s departure, saying the midfield leader ought to stay and that Leverkusen had lost enough key players already.

However, Leverkusen had made it known that Xhaka could leave if the right offer came in. He went to Sunderland.

In addition, Ten Hag criticised his players for not being fit enough, even though he and his staff had overseen pre-season.

And he has been accused of lacking the kind of charisma necessary to lead any ambitious top-flight team, but especially a newly assembled group of players. He seemed to struggle with convincing players of his ideas. Sources close to the club suggest he gave lacklustre pre-match talks.

Before the season opener against Hoffenheim, it has been said Ten Hag didn’t even give a pre-match talk.

In contrast, Spaniard Alonso tried his best to improve his German and his leadership skills as a manager during his tenure at Leverkusen.