Erik ten Hag’s first sport in control of Bayer Leverkusen resulted in humiliation as they have been thumped 5-1 by Flamengo’s Below-20 aspect.
Ten Hag changed Xabi Alonso in Might following the Spaniard’s choice to take over at Actual Madrid.
The previous Manchester United boss might be hoping to emulate the success Alonso loved in his time at Leverkusen, throughout which they dethroned Bayern Munich as Bundesliga champions in 2023-24 and gained the DFB-Pokal. Their solely defeat in that marketing campaign was a 3-0 loss to Atalanta within the Europa League remaining.
Leverkusen completed second final season, however they appeared a good distance from their former glories beneath Alonso in a humbling defeat in Rio de Janeiro.
“The outcome appears unhealthy, however I don’t actually give a shit about pre-season outcomes. We mustn’t ever lose, not by that margin too,” Ten Hag informed Bild.
“But it surely was essential to me that I didn’t lose any gamers. It could have been higher to play the sport later.
“At Leverkusen, we even have excessive expectations when the gamers are younger. However we mustn’t decide them too harshly.”
Leverkusen goalkeeper added: “Lukas Hradecky was equally shocked by the standard with the Rio de Janeiro membership’s ranks.
“I understood them to be a combined group [with pros] similar to us. However this was definitely lesson for the younger gamers, to compete at this excessive stage.
“No marvel that so many abilities are right here and are available to Europe on a regular basis – they impressed me very a lot and deserved to win.”