Bayer Leverkusen have enjoyed recent success, winning the DFL Supercup last season after claiming a first Bundesliga title in the 2023-24.

However, that came under former manager Xabi Alonso.

This term, under Ten Hag, they won only one of their opening three matches, a 4-0 victory in the DFB-Pokal against fourth-tier SG Sonnenhof Großaspach.

Leverkusen also said goodbye to a number of key players this summer – Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong both left for Liverpool, while Granit Xhaka moved to Sunderland.

They responded by breaking their transfer record, bringing in attacking midfielder Malik Tillman from PSV and centre-back Jarell Quansah from Liverpool, both for 35m euros.