Soccer
Erik TEN HAG as new coach of Bayer Leverkusen. [Photo Credit/ Imago].
Super Eagles and Bayer 04 Leverkusen striker could be set to stay at the Bay Arena as Erik Ten Hag faces bleak future in Germany, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 24-year-old has endured a difficult summer. After a failed move to Al-Nassr in the January transfer window, Boniface failed another medical last week, denying him a potential AC Milan move.
The former Union Saint-Gilloise forward is yet to play a game for Die Werkself this season. Soccernet.ng earlier reported that Boniface has been demoted by the Leverkusen coach, Erik Ten Hag.
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Without Boniface, Leverkusen are yet to win in two league games this season. After securing a 4-0 win over Sonnenof Grossaspach in the DFB Pokal, Ten Haag’s side lost to TSG Hoffenheim in their opening Bundesliga game before another 3-3 draw against ten-man Werder Bremen yesterday.
Quizzed about why the Super Eagles forward has yet to feature for Leverkusen this season, Erik Ten Hag revealed Boniface hasn’t trained with the team.
“Last week he wasn’t there, and therefore he wasn’t in the squad. When he is there, then he can be part of the group,” the Dutch tactician told Soccernet.ng.
“He trained with us the last two days, but now he has to fight for his place. When he is training every day, the whole week, then he can fight for his position.”
Meanwhile, Boniface has been seen in training after his proposed move to AC Milan fell through.
In the meantime, it appears Ten Hag’s time at Leverkusen might be coming to an end after just three games in charge.
The performances put up by the one-time Bundesliga Champions has left the club’s fans and directors in unison, wanting more, and it appears they’re convinced the ex-Manchester United manager isn’t the man to lead them forward.
As per Florian Plattenburg, Erik ten Hag is facing an immediate exit at Bayer 04 Leverkusen after just two matchdays.
Erik ten Hag is facing an immediate exit at Bayer 04 Leverkusen after just two matchdays.
No final decision has been made yet. Further analysis will follow. A separation before the end of Deadline Day is currently not planned.
Ten Hag is determined to stay and is asking… pic.twitter.com/ovacLR4Auk
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) August 31, 2025
While no final decision has been made yet, further analysis on the team’s performance under the 55-year-old will ensue.
A separation before the end of the deadline day is currently not planned; however, things could change after the International break.
The former Ajax manager is determined to stay and is asking for time to oversee the major rebuild as his contract runs till the summer of 2027.
While it is understandable that Leverkusen might struggle after losing top stars like Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Granit Xhaka and Jonathan Tah, the teams they’ve played against this season have inferior squads compared to theirs, which has baffled the Leverkusen bosses.
Boniface could be the biggest beneficiary if Leverkusen decides to part ways with Ten Hag. A new coach means a new chance for the Nigerian to impress and claim his starting spot at the Bay Arena.
Adefolahan Guerreiro
Adefolahan is a multilingual journalist and writer at Soccernet Nigeria.
With a track record of involvement in College sports, Adefolahan is focused on crafting engaging football content and utilising his language skills and extensive sports knowledge to enhance content accessibility for a global audience.
He has interviewed Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, Sikiru Alimi, Sodiq Ismaila and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.
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