Ex-Man United boss Erik ten Hag gets new job with European club after brutal Bayer Leverkusen sacking

FC Twente have announced Erik ten Hag as their new technical director, four months after being sacked by Bayer Leverkusen.

The ex-Manchester United boss had been out of work since his brutal axing by the Bundesliga club in September, just three games into his tenure.

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This came less than a year on from his dismissal by the Red Devils in October 2024, bringing to an end his two-year stint at Old Trafford.

But Ten Hag is now set to return to football in a different capacity, as he heads back to the club where he enjoyed three spells as a player.

FC Twente announce Ten Hag

On Tuesday, Dutch outfit Twente confirmed the arrival of the 55-year-old, effective from February 1.

But he will not begin his the technical director role immediately, as it was revealed he will step into the job from the start of the 2026/27 season.

A club statement read: “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.

“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.”

The Dutchman’s appointment will see him take on his second administrative role in football, having previously served as both head coach and sporting director of Utrecht between 2015 and 2017.

At Twente, his responsibilities will focus on recruitment, overseeing youth development and on-pitch progress.

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As well as having three spells at the Eredivisie outfit as a player, Ten Hag also began his coaching career with the club’s under-17s.

He later returned as assistant manager under Steve McClaren and Fred Rutten between 2006 and 2009.

And Ten Hag said he was delighted to be returning to his former club in a new capacity.

He told FC Twente’s website: “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.” 

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Erik ten Hag’s coaching career

Ten Hag had been without a club after he was sacked by Leverkusen following just three matches in charge in September.

The Dutch coach was named as Xabi Alonso‘s successor following his departure to Real Madrid, and began his role as head coach ahead of the 2025/26 season.

But the departure of several key players – including Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Jonathan Tah and Granit Xhaka – gave him an immediate uphill battle.

After two defeats in his first two games, a 3-3 draw against Hoffenheim then saw Ten Hag relieved of his duties.

His new role will see him return to Dutch football after a near four-year absence.

Following spells in charge at the Go Ahead Eagles, Bayern Munich‘s second team and Utrecht, Ten Hag made a name for himself at Ajax.

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Between 2018 and 2022, he guided the Amsterdam giants to three Eredivisie titles, and to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019.

Ten Hag then left his Ajax role to take on the job at Man United.

He ended up spending just over two years in the dugout at Old Trafford and ended up becoming one of their most successful managers in recent history.

He won the League Cup and FA Cup – as well as reaching the final of the FA Cup on another occasion.

However, the United hierarchy lost patience and sacked him in October 2024, where he was succeeded by Ruben Amorim, who was given his own marching orders by the club on Monday.