Bayer Leverkusen standout Nathan Tella has come to the defence of Erik ten Hag, urging critics to recognise the Dutch manager’s notable achievements despite recent scepticism.
The 55-year-old inked a two-year deal to helm the Bundesliga side after Xabi Alonso departed for Real Madrid.
Prior to his move to Manchester United in 2022, Ten Hag enjoyed a successful spell at Ajax. Over two years at Old Trafford, he secured the Carabao Cup and FA Cup but parted ways with the club while they sat 14th in the Premier League.
Expressing his enthusiasm about working with the Dutch coach, the Nigerian international lauded the skills Ten Hag brings to the BayArena.
“I understand that some people tend to be short-sighted, focusing solely on his time at Manchester United, but they overlook that he secured two trophies there and made significant strides with Ajax.”
“Getting a role at Manchester United after his success at Ajax speaks volumes about his capabilities.
“Even though things didn’t pan out as some might have hoped, his appointment at Leverkusen is a testament to his quality as a manager, particularly considering who he is replacing.”
Ten Hag is set to officially commence as the coach of Die Werkself on July 1, with his first competitive outing in the DFB Cup first round scheduled between August 15 and 18, followed by the Bundesliga season kick-off the subsequent weekend.
“I haven’t even met him yet. I’ve only seen photos of him signing, and that’s sparked my desire to play for him,” Tella added.
“Another manager making an impression, another globally renowned name in football, and the chance to work with him is something I’m genuinely excited about.”
Tella reviews Leverkusen’s performance this season
The Super Eagle shared his thoughts on Bayer Leverkusen’s performances in the 2024/25 season, providing a fair assessment of the club’s triumphs and challenges.
Tella underscored the team’s commendable league performance, the German Supercup victory, securing second place in a fiercely competitive Bundesliga, reaching the last 16 of the Champions League—an achievement to take pride in—and making a run to the semi-finals of the German Cup.
“I’d say it was a satisfactory season. Sure, it’s disheartening to reach the semi-finals (of the German Cup) and end up losing. With all due respect to (Arminia Bielefeld), they’re a team we should have been able to beat,” he remarked.
“Yet, finishing second in such a challenging league, and advancing from the first knockout stage in the Champions League to the last 16 is a feat we can be proud of as a team.
“Naturally, we aspire to progress and perform even better, but overall, I’d say we’re content with how the season unfolded. True, we began slowly, but we gained momentum as the season progressed.”
In the 2023/24 season, Leverkusen clinched the Bundesliga without suffering a loss and reached the Europa League final, an achievement Tella insists is no mere coincidence.
“No, I wouldn’t classify it as a fluke. An unbeaten season is an extraordinary challenge, but the manner in which we played previous year supports our capability,” he continued. Aside from Atalanta, I don’t think many teams could contend with us.”
“We were an exceptional team last year, demonstrating our prowess, especially in the parts of the season where we won the league too.
“I wouldn’t label it a fluke. We are a fine team and faced some tough times, but we were still able to display our quality.”
Did Bayer Leverkusen have what it takes to challenge Bayern Munich?
Vincent Kompany led Bayern Munich through a strong 2024/25 season, showcasing their typical dominance in the Bundesliga while maintaining a formidable presence in European competitions.
Despite fierce competition from clubs like Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund, the Bavarians secured crucial victories that clinched them the league title.
Tella noted: “Bayern were indeed impressive, and we had phases where we were not at our best, yet we managed to narrow the gap.”
“There were matches where we needed to be more ruthless, more clinical, but unfortunately, we fell short at times.
“Nonetheless, we also had plenty of brilliant moments throughout the season that highlighted why we were the reigning champions; we achieved some remarkable feats.
“In the end, while we lost momentum towards the close of the season, we can still take satisfaction in how it all played out.”
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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