Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is set to return to FC Twente from next season, with the Eredivisie club confirming his appointment as technical director.
The 55-year-old has signed a contract running until mid-2028, marking a return to the club where he began his professional playing career in 1989 and later concluded it in 2002.
Ten Hag will officially take up the role on February 1, succeeding current technical director Jan Streuer, who is due to retire at the end of the season.
“I think it’s wonderful and special to return to FC Twente, where I’ve been a supporter since I was a young boy,” Ten Hag said in a statement released by the club. “My football career began here.
“With my experience in youth development, team building and elite sports culture, I want to strengthen FC Twente’s technical foundation so the club can sustainably realise its potential as a regional flagship.”
Following his retirement as a player at Twente, Ten Hag moved into coaching, first heading the club’s youth academy before serving as assistant manager. He later built his reputation at Go Ahead Eagles, FC Utrecht and Ajax, before taking charge at Manchester United, where he was dismissed in October 2024.
Ten Hag briefly returned to Germany last year as head coach of Bayer Leverkusen, having previously spent two seasons in charge of Bayern Munich’s reserve side between 2013 and 2015. However, his tenure at Leverkusen was cut short after just two Bundesliga matches — the shortest managerial spell in German top-flight history.
Despite being approached by Ajax in November following the dismissal of John Heitinga, Ten Hag declined the opportunity, indicating he had no interest in returning to Amsterdam at that time.
