After a season of unprecedented domestic invincibility that saw Bayer Leverkusen lift the Supercup and rewrite history, a curious paradox emerged. Despite their Herculean efforts and an unbeaten run that captivated the football world, the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal titles eluded their grasp in the final analysis. This unexpected outcome has culminated in an epochal summer, witnessing a changing of the guard so profound it signals not just a shift, but a complete strategic reboot for the Rhineland club. At the heart of this transformation, striker Patrik Schick, a veteran voice in a rapidly evolving squad, offers his perspective on the seismic changes under the new leadership of Erik ten Hag.
The Grand Exodus and the New Architect
The writing was perhaps on the wall when the architect of their historic campaign, Xabi Alonso, opted for a move to Real Madrid. His departure opened the floodgates for a significant player exodus. Key figures like the prodigious Florian Wirtz, the electric Jeremie Frimpong, and defensive stalwart Jonathan Tah have all sought new challenges, leaving voids that cannot be simply `filled.` Into this landscape steps Erik ten Hag, a manager renowned for his rigorous discipline and tactical acumen from his stints at Ajax and Manchester United.
“He knows what he wants from the team and has won titles already. He knows what he is doing. He is demanding a lot from us and wants us to play with high intensity,” Schick remarked, offering his candid first impressions of Leverkusen`s new head coach. “He also knows where he wants to play me, how he would like to see me play and which positions he can see me taking.”
Schick`s observation paints a picture of a manager who arrives with a clear vision, a stark contrast to the organic evolution under Alonso. This clarity, while demanding, appears to be a source of reassurance for the players navigating this turbulent transition period.
Striking Partnerships and Unfillable Voids
A key tactical question looms large: how will Patrik Schick, whose 21 Bundesliga goals last season underscored his predatory instinct, fit alongside fellow striker Victor Boniface? For Schick, the answer is refreshingly pragmatic, tinged with a hint of what-might-have-been.
“In my point of view, we should have played more together, especially last season. We have different qualities and that combination could work well together,” the Czech international mused. A striker`s natural inclination is, after all, to find the net, not to ponder spatial dynamics alone, but the potential for a dual-threat system is clearly appealing.
However, the conversation quickly shifts to the irreplaceable. The departure of Florian Wirtz, the team`s creative heartbeat, is acknowledged as an insurmountable challenge in terms of direct replacement. Schick`s assessment is shrewdly realistic:
“[Florian] was ready for the next step a year ago, in my view, and now he has gone. I think it would be a mistake to try to replace him directly. You just can`t swap someone in for that kind of player.”
This candid admission highlights the strategic imperative facing Ten Hag: not to replicate past glories, but to forge a new identity, a collective system that compensates for the loss of individual brilliance.
The Veteran`s Mantle and Collective Ambitions
As Schick prepares for his sixth season at Leverkusen, he finds himself among the dwindling “old guard.” His enduring presence, coupled with the influx of eight players under the age of 24, places a new onus on the experienced members of the squad. The team`s collective goal remains clear, albeit with a pragmatic caveat.
With so many new faces, the onus is on the established players. Schick believes the old guard “need to step up” in the months ahead to integrate the young talent and maintain the team`s competitive edge. As for collective objectives, the top four in the Bundesliga is the “minimum aim,” though Schick acknowledges, “a lot will depend on how our squad looks at the end of the summer.”
This statement, delivered with an unflappable resolve, underscores the inherent uncertainty of a transfer window. The final composition of the squad will dictate the true scope of their ambitions, even as they currently enjoy a pre-season tour in Brazil.
Setting the Sights: The Road Ahead
Leverkusen`s competitive calendar kicks off with the DFB Pokal first round against Sonnenhof Großaspach on August 15, followed by their Bundesliga opener at home against Hoffenheim a week later. Adding to their schedule, a second consecutive season of UEFA Champions League football awaits. These early tests will provide the first real measure of Erik ten Hag`s influence and the new-look Bayer Leverkusen`s mettle.
The summer of change at Bayer Leverkusen isn`t merely about new names on the roster; it`s a profound re-evaluation of identity and ambition. Under Erik ten Hag, and with the seasoned perspective of players like Patrik Schick, the club embarks on a fascinating journey to prove that resilience and strategic adaptation can lead to new heights, even after a season that, despite its unprecedented nature, left a lingering sense of unfulfilled potential.
