Bayer Leverkusen Make Oliver Glasner Top Choice to Replace Erik Ten Hag After Sacking

Bayer Leverkusen have made Oliver Glasner as their No.1 target to succeed Erik ten Hag following the Dutchman’s sacking after just three games in charge.

Leverkusen parted ways with Ten Hag on Monday after a disastrous start to the Bundesliga season, leaving the club languishing in the bottom half and fans frustrated by a string of underwhelming performances.

Now, the club’s hierarchy are preparing to turn to Glasner – a coach Bundesliga supporters know all too well.

Bayer Leverkusen Target Oliver Glasner

Glasner delivered Crystal Palace’s first-ever major trophy, guiding the Eagles to FA Cup glory in May, before beating Liverpool to the Community Shield in August.

He also steered them into the Europa Conference League group stage, marking the club’s first foray into European football.

Palace are unbeaten in 13 matches across all competitions – equalling the longest streak in their history – and Glasner’s stock has never been higher.

That success has not gone unnoticed in Germany. Glasner previously impressed with both Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt, famously winning the Europa League in 2022.

His track record in the Bundesliga makes him an attractive candidate for Leverkusen, who are seeking stability and credibility after a turbulent few months.

Glasner is Frustrated at Crystal Palace

Sources close to the 51-year-old say his growing frustration at Selhurst Park could accelerate talks. Palace have made just three new signings this summer, despite losing star man Eberechi Eze to Arsenal in a £67.5m deal.

Glasner has watched in dismay as rivals like Nottingham Forest have reinforced heavily, while he has been left with a threadbare squad to compete in Europe and the Premier League.

Adding to his unease, chairman Steve Parish openly encouraged bids for captain Marc Guehi earlier this month. With Liverpool circling, Palace may need to hold firm and keep Guehi at all costs if they are to convince Glasner to commit his future.

Glasner’s contract expires next summer, and he has already rejected an approach from RB Leipzig. Bayern Munich were also prepared to pay a record £15.5 million to prise him away last year, only to be rebuffed.

But with Leverkusen now in the market and Glasner’s patience being tested, Palace risk losing the most successful manager in their history for nothing.

Simon Rolfes, Leverkusen’s managing director of sport, is expected to step up contacts with Glasner’s representatives in the coming days.

While Palace want him to stay, insiders believe his head could be turned due to the lack of backing in the transfer market this summer.

For now, Glasner remains focused on extending Palace’s unbeaten run – but Bundesliga fans know that if Leverkusen come calling, the lure of a return to Germany may be too strong to resist.