Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has handed a new job – but as a technical director rather than a manager.
Ten Hag has been out of work since September, when he was sacked by Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen after just three matches in charge.
The Dutchman was appointed by the German club in May as the successor to Xabi Alonso, who left to take charge at Real Madrid. However, he had a tricky start to life in Germany, collecting just one point from his opening two games, and was dismissed after the third.
On the back of that disastrous spell and his struggles at Manchester United, it seemed unclear where he would head next, with his stock falling from when he took Ajax to the Champions League semi-finals.
He has, though, now opted to return to his homeland of the Netherlands, penning a deal to become FC Twente’s technical director.
The Dutch club said in a statement: ‘Erik ten Hag (55) will join FC Twente on February 1st. He signs a contract until mid-2028. Starting in the 2026-2027 season, Ten Hag will succeed current technical director Jan Streuer, who recently announced his retirement after this season. Ten Hag will already be working in FC Twente’s football organization towards the new season.
Erik ten Hag has landed a new job on the back of his brutal sacking at Bayern Leverkusen
‘Ten Hag returns to the club where he began his professional career. He enjoyed great success as a player at FC Twente and held his first coaching positions there.’
Ten Hag added: ‘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 realize its potential as a regional flagship.’
General manager Dominique Scholten cited ten Hag’s ‘incredible track record in football’ for why he was chosen for the role.
He added: ‘We’ve been in regular contact over the past few months, and our conversations quickly revealed a strong ambition to further develop FC Twente. This ambition aligns with the strategy we recently presented.
‘We are raising the bar and further professionalizing the football organization. We took the first step in this direction last year with the arrival of Tim Gilissen.’
Now 55, ten Hag started his playing career with the club way back in 1989, and finished it there in 2002.
His move comes at a time when all eyes are on United, who have also just sacked Ruben Amorim, who was Ten Hag’s successor.
