Ten Hag has a new job… but not as a coach

Erik ten Hag is heading back to familiar territory, with FC Twente announcing his return to the club where his football journey began — this time in an executive role as technical director.

The former Manchester United boss has been without a job since September, when his time at Bayer Leverkusen came to an abrupt end just three competitive matches into the season. After weighing up several options, Ten Hag has opted to return home to the Netherlands and reconnect with his boyhood club.

His stint in Germany proved brief, as Leverkusen dismissed him only weeks into the 2025–26 campaign. Despite that setback, Ten Hag’s name quickly surfaced in managerial discussions elsewhere. Wolves explored him as a potential replacement for Vitor Pereira following a disastrous start to their Premier League season, while Ajax also considered bringing him back to Amsterdam — an idea Ten Hag ultimately rejected.

Now, his next chapter has been confirmed. FC Twente revealed on Tuesday that Ten Hag will rejoin the club in February, initially working within the football structure before officially assuming the role of technical director ahead of the 2026–27 season.

Speaking about his return, Ten Hag underlined the personal significance of the move:

"I think it's wonderful and special to return to FC Twente, where I've been a supporter at Het Diekman since I was a young boy. My football and coaching careers began here. With my experience in youth development, team building, and elite sports culture, I want to strengthen FC Twente's technical foundation together with the Supervisory Board, management, and staff, so the club can sustainably realise its potential as a regional flagship."

Twente’s interest in Ten Hag dates back several months, with reports in September suggesting a possible return as head coach. Those rumors gained traction when he was spotted in the stands during Twente’s Eredivisie meeting with Ajax. In the end, however, his comeback will come off the pitch rather than on the touchline.

Ten Hag’s managerial story at Manchester United officially closed in November 2024, when he was replaced by Sporting CP coach Ruben Amorim. Amorim himself was dismissed on Monday, and another familiar face — Ole Gunnar Solskjaer — has now emerged as a potential interim option for the Old Trafford hot seat.