“I’m looking forward to it” – Why Nathan Tella can’t wait to work with Erik ten Hag at Leverkusen

Super Eagles forward Nathan Tella is highly “motivated” and really “looking forward” to working under former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag at Bayer Leverkusen, Footynaija.com reports.

Ten Hag recently replaced Xabi Alonso as Bayer Leverkusen manager after the latter ended his relatively brief but hugely successful stint in charge of Die Werkself to take on the task of re-establishing Real Madrid’s dominance in Spain after a disappointing end to Carlo Ancelotti’s second spell at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Dutchman’s arrival at the Bay Arena was preceded by a rollercoaster two and a half year spell in charge of Manchester United. During his time at Old Trafford, Ten Hag won the EFL Cup and FA Cup in his first and second seasons respectively but a continued decline in United’s league performances ultimately led to his sacking midway into the 2024/2025 season.

Despite this, Tella insists he is excited about the prospect of working under the Dutchman, pointing to Ten Hag’s success at Ajax and his cup triumphs with Man United as evidence that he remains a top manager.

Why Nathan Tella can’t wait to work with Erik ten Hag at Leverkusen

“I’m looking forward to it (playing for Ten Hag) a lot. I think he is a very good manager. I know, obviously, people are short-sighted and look at only what he’s done at Man United, but people forget he’s won two trophies with them, and what he did with Ajax,” Tella told Flashscore.

“To even get a job at Manchester United from Ajax, it shows he must be doing something incredible, and even (though) it didn’t go the way perhaps people wanted it to go, but then to get a job at Leverkusen shows you that he’s such a high-quality manager because of the manager he’s coming in to replace.

“I’ve not even met him yet. I’ve just seen the pictures of him signing, and it’s given me motivation to want to play for him. Another manager to impress, another big name in world football, and to have the opportunity to work for him and with him is something I’m really looking forward to.” 

Despite Tella’s enthusiasm, Erik ten Hag’s plans for the versatile Super Eagles attacker isn’t exactly certain at this point.