BERLIN :Bayer Leverkusen will look to begin building a new era following the departure of many key players and 2024 domestic double-winning coach Xabi Alonso in the close season, said new boss Erik ten Hag on Friday.

Ten Hag took over amid a squad overhaul with more than half a dozen key players having left, including star player Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong, who both joined Liverpool, and midfielder Granit Xhaka.

Leverkusen kick off their season with a home game against Hoffenheim on Saturday, in Ten Hag's second competitive match in charge after last week's German Cup first round win over lower-league Sonnenhof Grossaspach.

"We did everything to be optimally prepared," Ten Hag told a press conference. "It has a lot to do with the team spirit. In the changing room the players are

See Full Page