The reason Erik ten Hag has already 'annoyed' Granit Xhaka at Bayer Leverkusen
Erik ten Hag has managed to 'annoy' and 'upset' Granit Xhaka just weeks after being appointed as the new head coach of Bayer Leverkusen, according to reports in Germany.
The 55-year-old Dutchman had been out of a job since being dismissed by Manchester United last October, with Ruben Amorim picking up the pieces at Old Trafford.
A return to Ajax was rumoured to be on the cards, only for Ten Hag to reject the Eredivisie outfit in favour of a move to Leverkusen ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Ten Hag went on to put pen to paper on a two-year contract with Leverkusen to fill the void left by Xabi Alonso, who took charge of Real Madrid earlier this summer.
'Leverkusen one of the best clubs in Germany and also among the top clubs in Europe,' Ten Hag told reporters as he was unveiled to the media in late May.
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'I've come to Leverkusen to continue with the ambition shown in recent years.
'It's an attractive challenge to set up something together in this period of change and develop an ambitious team.'
According to German publication Bild, Ten Hag made a deliberate effort to give Leverkusen's players time and space before reaching out to his new squad on the back of what had been a long and gruelling campaign.
However, the report states this approach has rubbed some up the wrong way, including Xhaka, with Ten Hag only making contact with the former Arsenal midfielder three weeks after his appointment.
While Ten Hag made sure to underline Xhaka's importance to his plans during their conversation, the bizarre lack of communication has only made the Swiss further question his future at the club.
Serie A giants AC Milan have been alerted to the situation and Xhaka is said to have been perceptive to their advances, eager to push through a proposed switch to the San Siro.
It's claimed a deal could be reached should Milan make an offer in the region of €15million (£12.8m) for Xhaka, despite Leverkusen initially holding out for a fee of €40m (£34m).
Xhaka, who was an integral part of Alonso's remarkable Bundesliga-winning side two years ago, is tied into a contract at BayArena until 2028.
There has already been something of an exodus at Leverkusen, with Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong both leaving for Premier League champions Liverpool this summer.
Germany central defender Jonathan Tah, meanwhile, upped sticks and joined Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich after his contract with Leverkusen expired at the end of last season.
'Of course, the players who are leaving or have left are a huge loss, definitely,' Xhaka told reporters earlier this month while away on international duty with Switzerland.
'They were extremely important for the team.'
Pressed on speculation he could also be set for the exit door at Leverkusen, Xhaka replied: 'With [Leverkusen directors] Simon Rolfes and Fernando Carro, we have enough players who can hopefully get the team back to that level.
'Whether it's with or without me is another question.
'But as of today, I'm here. We're happy and that's what matters.
Xhaka hinted he was open to a fresh challenge away from Leverkusen and reassured fans that he would provide clarity over his future in due course.
'I haven't played everywhere yet,' he added.
'Of course, you think about it, but as I said, my mind is far away. I have my family and my management to take care of such things.
'When the time comes and you have an offer on the table, then you start thinking about it.
'And when the time comes for a transfer to take place, I'll definitely let you know.'
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