Bayer Leverkusen
A season of records broken: From the most expensive Bundesliga transfer in history to the shortest tenure for a new head coach.
The 2025–26 season marked the 122nd year in Bayer 04 Leverkusen's history and their 47th consecutive campaign in Germany's top flight. Beyond domestic league duties, the club competed in the DFB-Pokal and the UEFA Champions League. This period was defined by seismic roster changes and managerial volatility, headlined by the departure of star player Florian Wirtz to Liverpool for a record-breaking fee and a coaching carousel that saw Erik ten Hag dismissed after just two league matches.
- Season Number
- 122nd
- Consecutive Top Flight Seasons
- 47th
- Wirtz Transfer Base Fee (Low)
- £100 million (€117.5 million)
- Wirtz Transfer Base Fee (High)
- £107 million (€125 million)
- Ten Hag Matches in Charge
- 3 total competitive games
- Ten Hag League Matches in Charge
- 2
- Total Expenditure
- €168.5 million
- Total Income
- €227.8 million
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The narrative of this season pivoted on June 20, 2025, when Florian Wirtz left for Liverpool. The reported base fee ranged from £100 million (€117.5 million) to £107 million (€125 million), plus bonuses between €18.8 million and €25 million. This deal made him the sixth most expensive footballer ever, surpassing Enzo Fernández's 2023 move to Chelsea, and set a new Bundesliga record, overtaking Ousmane Dembélé. Following Wirtz's exit, Xabi Alonso departed for Real Madrid on July 1, paving the way for Erik ten Hag. However, Ten Hag's tenure lasted only until September 1, ending after two Bundesliga games and three total competitive matches. This dismissal set a new German record for the fewest league matches before being sacked.
In Their Own Story
The managerial chaos of early September defined the season's turning points. On September 1, Erik ten Hag was relieved of his duties by Bayer Leverkusen, having managed just two Bundesliga fixtures and three total competitive games since taking over on July 1. This unprecedented short stint forced an immediate succession plan. By September 8, former Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand assumed head coach responsibilities, stepping in to stabilize the squad after Ten Hag's record-breaking dismissal. Meanwhile, off-pitch developments saw the club pioneer a new era of global expansion with a pre-season tour to Rio, becoming the first Bundesliga side to open an academy in Brazil, the 'Bayer 04 Football Academy São Paulo,' led by former forward Paulo Sérgio.
Reader's Guide
Fans navigating this season must note specific logistical details. The league fixtures were released on June 27, 2025, with Matchday 17 against Hamburger SV postponed due to weather-related safety concerns. In Europe, the UEFA Champions League league phase draw occurred on August 28, 2025. Domestic cup action saw the second round draw held on August 31, 2025. As the season progressed into 2026, the knockout phase play-off draw took place on January 30, and the Round of 16 draw was scheduled for February 27. Financially, the club reported a total expenditure of €168.5 million (excluding add-ons) against an income of €227.8 million, reflecting the massive return from Wirtz's sale.
Did You Know?
- Florian Wirtz's transfer to Liverpool made him the largest transfer in Bundesliga history, surpassing Ousmane Dembélé.
- Erik ten Hag holds the German record for the fewest league matches managed before being dismissed (2 games).
- Bayer Leverkusen became the first Bundesliga club to open and operate a football academy in Brazil during this season.
- The 2025–26 DFB-Pokal second round draw was held on August 31, 2025.
- Matchday 17 against Hamburger SV was postponed specifically due to weather-related safety concerns.
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