MUNICH: Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has been appointed as manager of Bayer Leverkusen on a two-year contract, the Bundesliga club said on Monday.

The 55-year-old Dutchman replaces Xabi Alonso, who left Leverkusen to join Real Madrid.

Ten Hag has been out of job since getting sacked by United in October with the Old Trafford club languishing 14th in the Premier League table.

His most successful stint came at Ajax Amsterdam, whohe coached from 2018-22, winning three Eredivisie titles and taking the club to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019.

Under Spaniard Alonso, Leverkusen secured the double in the 2023-24 season as they lifted their first Bundesliga title without losing a game, won the German Cup and reached the Europa League final.

Ten Hag had been linked with a return to Ajax before penning a deal with Leverkusen, who finished second to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga this year.`With Erik ten Hag we have brought in an experienced coach with impressive success on the pitch,` Leverkusen`s sporting managing director Simon Rolfes said in a statement, calling his success at Ajax `exceptional`.

`With three league titles and two domestic cup wins he and Ajax dominated Dutch football from 2018 to 2022.

`And Erik demonstrated his quality as a coach with the ensuing success at Manchester United under difficult circum-stances at times,` added Rolfes.

Ten Hag faces a summer rebuild in Leverkusen, with several Bundesliga-winning stars heading out ofthe door.

Centre-back Jonathan Tah has already confirmed his exit after 10 years at the club, with Bayern his likely destination.

Midfield playmaker Florian Wirtz and wing back Jeremie Frimpong also look set to leave, with Rolfes confirming on Monday that Liverpool had shown `concrete interest` in Wirtz.Liverpool are reportedly also set to snap up Frimpong.

While Tah will leave on a free transfer, Wirtz and Frimpong will command high fees, giving the Dutchman money to work with.

Asked if he had already drawn up a transfer wishlist, Ten Hag said: `I have many wishes.

Ten Hag will seek to rebuild Leverkusen alongside his own reputation, which took a hit during an unhappy time at United.-Agencies