After a rollercoaster year that saw him exit Manchester United and land a fresh opportunity at Bayer Leverkusen, Erik ten Hag is back in the spotlight—and this time, it’s personal.
While adjusting to life in Germany, Ten Hag opened up about one player who still holds a special place in his heart: Antony.
“Like a Son to Me” — Ten Hag Gets Candid About Antony
In a recent interview with German outlet BILD, Ten Hag spoke with genuine warmth about his long-standing relationship with Antony, saying:
“He was like a son to me. He still is.”
It’s not just talk—Ten Hag has signed Antony twice in his career.
First, when he brought him to Ajax from São Paulo in 2020, and again when he took him to Manchester United in a blockbuster £86 million deal in 2022.
Their connection runs deep, with Antony playing under Ten Hag 166 times between Ajax and United.
Clearly, this isn’t your typical manager-player dynamic.
Antony’s Rocky United Spell and Loan at Real Betis
Despite all the initial excitement surrounding his big-money move, Antony hasn’t quite lived up to expectations at Old Trafford.
With just 12 goals and 5 assists in 96 appearances, the Brazilian winger’s time at United has been underwhelming.
Last season, he was loaned out to Real Betis, where he enjoyed a slightly better spell—scoring 9 goals in 26 games.
And now, with his future at United looking uncertain, transfer rumors are swirling once again.
Transfer Rumors: Where Could Antony Go Next?
Several clubs have been reportedly circling Antony this summer.
Brighton, Newcastle, and RB Leipzig have all been linked to the 24-year-old winger.
Naturally, many fans are wondering: Could Ten Hag bring Antony with him to Leverkusen for a third reunion?
Ten Hag Isn’t Closing the Door on a Future Move
While Ten Hag was honest in saying “We’re not interested in him at the moment”, he was equally careful not to rule anything out.
“We’ll see what happens in the future,” he added—leaving the door open just wide enough for speculation to keep brewing.
So, no transfer right now, but it’s clear there’s no bad blood—and perhaps even unfinished business—between the pair.
A Busy Summer at Leverkusen
Since taking over at Bayer Leverkusen, Ten Hag hasn’t wasted time shaping his squad.
The club has already signed Jarell Quansah from Liverpool and goalkeeper Mark Flekken from Brentford.
However, they’ve also suffered some major losses, with stars Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong heading to Liverpool.
Whether Antony ends up part of this new era in Leverkusen remains to be seen—but if Ten Hag’s emotional connection means anything, we might not have seen the last of this duo on the same team sheet.
What’s Next for Antony?
A return to Real Betis isn’t off the table either, especially after his productive loan spell.
But wherever he ends up, it’s clear Antony’s time at Manchester United is winding down.
He came in as one of Ten Hag’s biggest bets.
And while it didn’t play out as planned at United, their story may not be finished just yet.