Erik ten Hag has opened up about the ruthless, often unpredictable world of football after accepting a new role as the technical director at FC Twente, a club where he made his name as a player.
His comments shed light on the darker side of the sport, where managers are frequently tossed aside in favor of those looking to make a quick impact.
A New Chapter at Twente After a Tumultuous Year
Just a week ago, ten Hag was officially announced as Twente’s technical director, marking a return to the Dutch club where his career began.
His move comes just months after an abrupt sacking from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen, where he was dismissed after managing only three matches.
Reflecting on this, ten Hag admitted his frustration but acknowledged the reality of football management: “I was dismissed without having the chance to prove my approach works,” he said during his unveiling.
“If you look at my resume, it’s always been pretty good. The way I work has always led to success.”
A Familiar Story: Football’s Disappointing Trends
His comments about the nature of football and managerial turnover aren’t new for him.
In fact, ten Hag faced a similar fate at Manchester United, where he was dismissed in the autumn of 2024.
Despite a summer transfer window in which the club’s leadership had pledged their support, ten Hag was shown the door amid growing speculation.
“Of course, it was disappointing,” he admitted, acknowledging that such moves are part of football’s ever-changing landscape.
He pointed to other top-tier managers, including Real Madrid’s Xabi Alonso, who also faced challenges despite his high status.
“It happens to him too, even though he’s the top manager in Europe,” ten Hag said. “It happens to almost all managers.”
He went on to describe how this phenomenon has become more extreme in recent years, with many club owners and sporting directors often prioritizing short-term results over long-term planning and stability.
The Power Shift: Owners and Directors Gaining More Control
Ten Hag highlighted an unsettling trend in football: the growing influence of club owners and sporting directors who often have little understanding of the intricacies of managing a football team.
He warned that their increasing involvement can lead to “opportunistic decisions” that destabilize teams.
“You see more and more owners joining clubs who want to make their mark,” he explained.
“They generally have very little understanding of the subject matter. Technical directors also often make opportunistic decisions when results are disappointing.”
This shift in power has been particularly evident over the past year, with the exit of Enzo Maresca at Chelsea illustrating the strain head coaches face when their decisions are overridden by those higher up in the hierarchy.
More High-Profile Managerial Departures: Real Madrid and Manchester United
Ten Hag’s remarks seem even more prescient in light of recent events, especially at Real Madrid and Manchester United.
Real Madrid parted ways with Alonso just months after his much-anticipated appointment, with some insiders suggesting that Alonso had clashed with star players over tactical decisions.
This, in turn, led to a fallout that ultimately cost him his job.
At Manchester United, things took a similar turn when Ruben Amorim—who replaced ten Hag in November 2024—was let go after reports of a major rift with director of football Jason Wilcox and other club officials.
It’s believed that there were disagreements about Amorim’s playing style, and he was under pressure to change his tactics to meet the club’s demands.
In a remarkable outburst just before his dismissal, Amorim fiercely defended his style of play, saying even “the Pope” wouldn’t be able to convince him to abandon his preferred system of three at the back.
Fans React: United’s Tumultuous Leadership and the Rise of a ‘Circus’
As always, fans were quick to voice their opinions.
Many pointed the finger at Manchester United’s co-owner Jim Ratcliffe, with the fan group ‘The 58’ referring to him as a “clown” and criticizing his role in turning the club’s management into what they called a “circus.”
They argued that United had gone from being “best in class” to becoming a “laughing stock,” underscoring the frustration felt by fans at the constant upheaval in the club’s leadership.
Ten Hag Keeps His Cards Close Regarding Future Plans
Despite all the upheaval, ten Hag has chosen to take a step back from day-to-day management and embrace his new role at Twente.
When asked about a potential return to coaching, he remained cryptic.
“You never know,” he said, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of football. “I want to make something of it here.
We’ll see what happens afterward. And what everyone thinks about it, well… I live my own life.”
His decision to embrace this new chapter at Twente seems to be a reflection of his desire for a fresh start, away from the drama and uncertainty that have come to define modern football management.
As ten Hag settles into his new role, one thing remains clear: the football world is more cutthroat than ever, and while opportunities may come, they often come at a price.
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