Just hours after Real Madrid confirmed that they had signed former Bayer Leverkusen boss Xavi Alonso to take their club forward, the Werkelf presented their new boss.

"Bayer 04 are one of the best clubs in Germany and also among the top clubs in Europe. The club offers outstanding conditions, I've been very impressed with the discussions of the management," Erik ten Hag said in a statement on the club's website.

"I've come to Leverkusen to continue with the ambition shown in recent years. It's an attractive challenge to set up something together in this period of change and develop an ambitious team."

Sporting director Simon Rolfes described the 55-year-old Dutchman as "an experienced coach with an impressive track record," pointing to the six titles he won at Ajax.

At the press conference to unveil the new manager, ten Hag resisted speaking about his time at Manchester United, who sacked him last October, simply saying that was "the past."

Ten Hag, who has signed a contract that would keep him at Leverkusen until the end of the 2026-27 season, said he wanted to play "dominant, attractive football" at the club.  

He replaces Alonso, after the Spaniard last season failed to duplicate his double-winning campaign, as Leverkusen finished second to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. Leverkusen had gone undefeated in the previous campaign, in which Alonso made history by leading them to their first league title.

Edited by: Kalika Mehta