Sports
Bayer Leverkusen Sack Erik ten Hag After Three Games
Erik ten Hag’s stint as Bayer Leverkusen manager has come to an abrupt end after just three matches, with the club confirming his dismissal following a poor start to the season.
The 55-year-old Dutch coach arrived in the summer on a two-year contract, stepping in after Xabi Alonso left the Bundesliga champions to succeed Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid.
However, Ten Hag failed to convince either the players or the board that he was the right man to lead the team through a period of significant transition.
SEE ALSO: BREAKING: Man Utd Sacks Erik ten Hag As Manager
Leverkusen’s competitive season began with a 4–0 DFB-Pokal victory over Sonnenhof Grossaspach, though their lower-league opponents had two players sent off.
A 2–1 Bundesliga defeat to Hoffenheim followed, before Saturday’s collapse against Werder Bremen, where Leverkusen squandered a 3–1 advantage and drew 3–3 despite Bremen being reduced to 10 men.
The club’s turbulent summer transfer window only added to the challenge.
Key figures Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong departed for Liverpool, captain Granit Xhaka joined Premier League newcomers Sunderland, while Lukas Hradecky and Amine Adli moved to Monaco and Bournemouth respectively.
Taking over from Alonso whose attacking philosophy and personality made him a fan favourite was always going to be a tough assignment.
Reports suggest the squad did not respond well to Ten Hag’s training style or man-management, prompting Leverkusen to make an early change.
A source close to the decision admitted: “The collapse against Werder Bremen did not help and, of course, the opening day loss at home to Hoffenheim was also an ugly way for the season to start, but this is really about what those results describe, rather than what they literally represent… this quick decision is not necessarily a wrong one.”
Ten Hag had previously been sacked by Manchester United in October 2024, leaving the team in 14th place despite winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.
Manchester City’s trophy-laden era has come under renewed scrutiny after the club was reportedly found guilty of 114 of the 115 Premier League financial-rule charges brought against it.
The reported verdict, disclosed by The Athletic on Friday, September 25, relates to alleged breaches covering the period between 2009 and 2018.
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The independent hearing lasted more than two years before the outcome emerged.
However, the case is not yet over, as the Premier League has not announced any sanction and Manchester City are expected to appeal the verdict.
The charges include allegations that the club failed to provide accurate financial information and breached rules relating to payments to players and coaches, as well as financial sustainability requirements.
City have consistently denied the allegations.
The reported verdict could have wider implications for the Premier League because the club has won eight league titles, four FA Cups, seven League Cups and one Champions League during the period in which the allegations have been investigated.
Potential sanctions under the league’s rules can include financial penalties and sporting punishments, with points deductions and expulsion among the measures that have been discussed in coverage of the case.
However, no punishment has been confirmed at this stage.
The uncertainty also means questions remain over whether any eventual sanction could affect Manchester City’s past achievements, current squad or future participation in the Premier League.
For now, the reported guilty findings mark a major development in one of English football’s longest-running disciplinary cases, but the final outcome will depend on the sanctioning process and City’s expected appeal.
Chelsea Football Club have confirmed a major ownership change, with Clearlake Capital set to take full control of the club after agreeing to acquire the ownership interests of Todd Boehly and Mark Walter.
Chelsea announced on Wednesday that affiliates of Clearlake Capital Group will acquire Boehly’s ownership interest, as well as Walter’s stake, giving Clearlake full control of the Premier League club.
“Chelsea Football Club today announced affiliates of Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. (‘Clearlake’) will acquire the ownership interest of Todd Boehly.
“Clearlake will also acquire Mark Walter’s ownership interest and therefore acquire full control of the Club,” the club said.
Mark Walter and Todd Boehly have agreed to sell their stakes in Chelsea to Clearlake Capital in a deal that values the club at about £5 billion.
The development marks a significant change to the ownership structure that has been in place since Chelsea’s takeover in 2022.
Chelsea also confirmed that Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss will remain an important partner and stakeholder in the club.
The announcement comes after weeks of reports that Boehly and Walter were considering selling their stakes to Clearlake.
Liverpool will face Chelsea in the standout tie of the EFL Cup fourth round after the draw was conducted on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
The draw saw 13 Premier League clubs discover their opponents for the next stage of the competition, with Liverpool handed a home clash against Chelsea.
The fixture will also see Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso return to Anfield to face his former club.
SEE ALSO: 10 Football Stars Who Said Goodbye to International Football (Full List)
Arsenal were drawn away against Fleetwood Town, while Newcastle United will travel to Everton for another all-Premier League encounter.
Other fourth-round fixtures include Sunderland against Brentford, Fulham against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth against Aston Villa.
See complete draw below:
Fleetwood Town vs Arsenal
Manchester City/Norwich City vs Brighton
Everton vs Newcastle United
Sunderland vs Brentford
Liverpool vs Chelsea
Bradford City vs Peterborough
Fulham vs Crystal Palace
Bournemouth vs Aston Villa
The fourth-round ties are scheduled to take place during the week commencing October 26, 2026, between Matchweeks 8 and 9 of the Premier League.
Manchester City will determine the final fourth-round pairing when they host Norwich City in their outstanding third-round fixture on Thursday, September 17.
The third round has already produced several notable results. Liverpool defeated Tottenham 3-1, Arsenal beat Ipswich Town 4-2, while Chelsea recorded a 6-3 victory over Leeds United.
Manchester United were eliminated after losing 3-2 to Brighton, while Newcastle United defeated Millwall 1-0. Everton beat Wolves 1-0, Crystal Palace defeated Middlesbrough 3-0 and Bournemouth thrashed Lincoln City 4-0.
Peterborough progressed after beating Barnsley 7-6 on penalties following a 3-3 draw, while Fleetwood Town defeated Sheffield United 1-0.
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