Erik ten Hag's Reign When Bayer Leverkusen manager started in the disastrous way with a humiliating 5-1 defeat by Flamengo's Onder-20 Kant.
Ten Hag was dismissed last October by Manchester United after only three victories of their opening of nine games of the season.
The Dutchman was appointed by Leverkusen in May as the successor to Xabi Alonso, who left to take the lead at Real Madrid.
The Bundesliga side made the long journey to Brazil for the debut of ten Hag, while Leverkusen was confronted with the youth side of Flamengo in their opening match for the season.
The former Ajax boss mentioned a strong start XI, which maintained the title-winning 3-4-2-1 system of predecessor Alonso.
Senior players, including the new keeper Mark Flekken, Jonas Hofmann and Victor Boniface, were all transferred to Rio.
But it only took two minutes for things to go wrong, while Flamengo struck early before they double their lead within ten. A third goal followed a little later and, just as Ten Hag seemed to limit the damage, a fourth hit it just after the break.
The new boss had already addicted Flekken and Boniface in the 36th minute, but chose not to make further changes during the break – and paid the price when Flamengo took a fifth less than 10 minutes in the second half.
Finally, Ten Hag chose the hour at the hour for a complete overhaul – take off each remaining starter, including the two early replacements.
A wave of senior saw that took the fight, with Granit Xhaka, Alex Grimaldo and Patrick Schick among those who were thrown in an attempt to save somewhat proudly.
It was Academy Prospect Montrell Culbreath that gave Leverkusen something to cheer and arouse a comfort in the 71st minute.
The German side stabilized in the final phase, but the serious early damage had already sealed their fate – left behind to endure a punitive debut.
The heavy defeat is Leverkusen's first in the absence of Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong, both of whom came to Liverpool for a combined £ 145.5 million.
The Bundesliga winners of 2023-24 have added to their team with the arrivals of people such as Flekken, Jarrell Quansah and Malik Tillman.