Ten Hag makes shock return to FC Twente in technical director appointment

Since his departure from Ajax, Ten Hag’s managerial career has been mixed. At Manchester United, he won several trophies but the team’s overall performances were inconsistent, leading to his dismissal in October 2024. He later took over at Bayer Leverkusen as the replacement for Xabi Alonso, but was sacked after just three matches.

Ten Hag is now set to rejoin FC Twente, where he will take on the role of technical director. The club confirmed that he will officially start next month, replacing current technical director Jan Streuer, who is due to retire at the end of the season.

His return to Twente comes as little surprise. Ten Hag has previously said the club was his favorite team during his childhood. He began his playing career at FC Twente in 1989, later represented several other clubs, and returned to Twente before retiring at the age of 32.

Ten Hag also took his first steps in coaching at Twente, working with the club’s academy teams from U17 to U19. He moved into senior management in 2012 with Go Ahead Eagles in the Dutch first division. After one season, he joined Bayern Munich II, where he worked under Pep Guardiola. He later managed Utrecht before enjoying major success at Ajax, winning three Eredivisie titles.

Speaking after his appointment, Ten Hag said: “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”.

Ten Hag’s move to Twente was confirmed just two days after his successor at Manchester United, Ruben Amorim, was dismissed. Amorim had taken over at Old Trafford in October 2024 following a poor run of results under Ten Hag, but was recently sacked after reported conflicts with the club’s leadership, led by Omar Berrada and director Jason Wilcox.