Erik ten Hag after latest Bayer Leverkusen wobble: “The players aren’t ready.” | OneFootball

Bayer Leverkusen head coach Erik ten Hag was understandably distraught after his team dropped points against Werder Bremen on Saturday afternoon. Ten Hag’s “new look Leverkusen” have only managed to pick up one point through two Bundesliga matchdays. The newly appointed ten Hag could only point out the obvious in his post-match interview with Sky Germany.

Leverkusen’s massive (and still ongoing) summer exodus of players remains the culprit. While sporting director Simon Rolfes and the B04 administrative team have done an admirable job of recruiting new talent, the constant state of personnel flux leaves ten Hag unable to even begin contemplating his best XI.

“The players aren’t ready,” ten Hag told Sky. “We have a new team and some of the players aren’t at all fit enough to play. The team didn’t function at all during the final stage of the game. That’s just the way it is. They need to bring more intensity and get fitter in order to meet my standards.

“After the international break, we face real competition and must perform as a team,” ten Hag continued. “That begins with taking responsibility and delivering individual performances. And they have to demonstrate to me that they want to work together.”

GGFN | Peter Weis