For many football fans, the idea of a beloved former player returning to rescue his old club sounds like the perfect fairytale.
But for Erik ten Hag, reality looks very different right now.
Just weeks after being sacked by Bayer Leverkusen, the Dutchman has reportedly turned down the chance to manage his boyhood side, FC Twente.
Severance Pay Over Sentiment
Ten Hag’s decision has less to do with footballing passion and more to do with finances.
According to reports, the 55-year-old would lose his hefty Bayer Leverkusen severance package—around £4.3 million—if he took on a new managerial role too quickly.
For now, that payout works out at nearly £69,000 per day he worked in Germany, making it a tough deal to walk away from.
Twente’s Struggles
The timing couldn’t be more difficult for Twente. Five games into the new Eredivisie season, they find themselves in 13th place, just two points above the automatic relegation zone.
Desperate for a turnaround, the club reached out to their former captain and academy product—but were met with refusal.
A Deep Connection to Twente
Ten Hag’s ties to the club run deep. He came through their academy, wore the captain’s armband, and lifted the KNVB Cup with them in 2001—just one of only three times Twente have ever won the trophy.
Across three playing spells, he made 262 appearances before eventually moving into coaching.
He has often spoken of his “big love” for the club, even recalling the personal tragedies and triumphs that shaped his connection to Twente and its community.
Shaped by Tragedy and Triumph
His memories at Twente are closely linked to moments of hardship.
He once described how his mentor, youth coach Epi Drost, who encouraged adventurous football, tragically died from a heart attack at 49.
He also reflected on the Enschede fireworks disaster in 2000, which devastated the city and claimed 23 lives.
Twente’s KNVB Cup win the following year, he said, restored some pride and hope to a grieving community.
From Player to Coach
After hanging up his boots in 2003, Ten Hag began his coaching career at Twente, working with the under-17s and under-19s before stepping up as assistant manager.
He worked under several coaches, including Steve McClaren, and built the foundation for a career that would later take him to Ajax, Manchester United, and beyond.
A Career That Took Flight at Ajax
It was at Ajax that Ten Hag truly made his name.
Over five years, he guided the Dutch giants to three league titles, two domestic cups, and a famous run to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019.
That success paved the way for his move to Manchester United in 2022, before his short-lived Bundesliga adventure at Bayer Leverkusen.
The Door Isn’t Closed Forever
While this refusal stings for Twente fans, it might not be the end of the story.
Former teammate Boudewijn Pahlplatz once recalled Ten Hag’s dream of returning to “The Tukkers” one day.
For now, though, his priority seems to be cashing in on his severance and taking a breather after a turbulent few months.
What It Means for Twente
For Twente, the search for a new manager continues, and the club must now look beyond their most famous academy graduate.
For Ten Hag, the decision reflects a hard balance between loyalty, legacy, and financial security.
The fairytale reunion may have to wait—but it’s unlikely fans will stop dreaming about it.