We can only imagine that there was a dry, Dutch grin from Ten Hag, when it became clear that Ruben Amorim was also tipped out of Manchester United. The Dutchman went from two cup titles and defined as a long-term coaching solution by United boss Ratcliffe, to being sacked four months later. Ten Hag responded by waiting for the big job in the Bundesliga, but here the former successful coach at Ajax was also fired – this time after three poor games. A few days after Amorim was sacked at United and a new chapter closed, Ten Hag has sat himself down with his signature pen.
After two humiliating dismissals at United and Leverkusen, Erik ten Hag has clearly realised he has to hang up the stopwatch for a while. On Wednesday, he signed with his old club in the Netherlands, but this time with a director’s office as his workplace, not the turf.
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The 55-year-old has been hired as FC Twente’s technical director, starting February 1. This is the club he ended his own playing career at and started his coaching career as an U17 coach.
The contract runs until mid-2028. From next season, Ten Hag will take over for the current technical director, Jan Streuer, who recently announced his retirement after this season.
We think it’s a smart move by Ten Hag to stay away from coaching jobs for a while. Especially when the biggest clubs are no longer queuing up to secure the then so successful coach of Ajax.
“My football and coaching career started here. With my experience in youth development, team building and top-level sports culture, I want to strengthen FC Twente’s technical foundation together with the board, management and staff, so that the club can sustainably realize its potential as a regional flagship,” Ten Hag says to the club’s website.
Congratulations.
