Erik ten Hag humiliated as ex-Man Utd boss' new club lose 5-1 to Flamengo U20s

Erik ten Hag was humiliated on Friday evening as his Bayer Leverkusen team were beaten 5-1 by Flamengo Under-20s. The 55-year-old was sacked by Manchester United last October following a woeful run of form in the Premier League.

Ten Hag and his Leverkusen team jetted out to Brazil earlier this week for a pre-season tour and went head-to-head with the young Flamengo outfit as the Dutchman took charge of his first game for his new club. But the Bundesliga team fell behind just two minutes into the game as Brazilian attacker Lorran found the back of the net. Matheus Goncalves then doubled the hosts' advantage after 10 minutes.

Goncalves netted his second goal six minutes before half time, with Pedro Leao making the score 4-0 in stoppage time at the end of the opening period. Gusttavo notched Flamengo's fifth goal in the early stages of the second half, before Montrell Culbreath struck a late consolation for Leverkusen.

Ten Hag named a young side for his first match at the helm, although there was plenty of experience on show, with 33-year-old Jonas Hofmann lining up in attack and former Brentford star Mark Flekken named in goal.

Ex-Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka came off the bench in the second half, while Czechia forward Patrik Schick and Burkina Faso defender Edmond Tapsoba were also introduced to the action after the interval.

Leverkusen are the first Bundesliga club to stage a pre-season tour in South America and will train at Flamengo's Ninho do Urubu training centre in the Vargem Grande neighbourhood of Brazil until next Thursday, although they won't play any more matches.

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Ten Hag's side will return to Germany to take on Bochum in their second pre-season match next weekend. The team will then play against Fortuna Sittard in the Netherlands at the start of August.

United confirmed the departure of Ten Hag following a 2-1 Premier League defeat against West Ham.

The Red Devils explained in a blunt statement: "Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men's first-team manager.

"Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024. We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.

"Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited."

Ruben Amorim was appointed as Ten Hag's permanent successor at the start of November after agreeing to leave Sporting to become the United manager.

But the Portuguese coach struggled to get to grips with life in the Premier League as the north west giants finished 15th in the top flight.

Amorim will be under huge pressure to turn his team's fortunes around when the new season starts in August, with United hosting Arsenal in their opening match of the campaign.