In a homecoming that marks a new chapter for one of Dutch football's prominent figures, Erik ten Hag has been appointed as the technical director of Eredivisie club FC Twente. The 55-year-old former Manchester United and Bayer Leverkusen manager will join the Enschede-based club on February 1, 2026, initially working within the football organization before officially succeeding the retiring Jan Streuer as technical director from the start of the 2026/27 season. Ten Hag has signed a contract running until mid-2028.
The announcement, made on January 6, 2026, represents a shift away from frontline coaching for ten Hag, who has deep personal and professional ties to Twente. As a player, he began his professional career at the club, making over 100 appearances and contributing to their success in the 1990s and early 2000s, including stints that overlapped with multiple spells at the club. He also held his first coaching roles there at the youth level before progressing to assistant positions and eventually head coaching roles elsewhere.
FC Twente's official statement highlighted the significance of ten Hag's return: "Erik ten Hag 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."
Ten Hag himself expressed enthusiasm about the move, emphasizing his lifelong connection to the club. "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," he said. "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."
This appointment comes just four months after ten Hag's brief and tumultuous tenure at Bayer Leverkusen came to an abrupt end. Appointed as head coach of the Bundesliga side in May 2025, ten Hag was dismissed in September 2025 after only three competitive games—marking one of the shortest managerial spells in the club's history and a record-low in the Bundesliga for recent times. The decision followed poor early-season results, with reports indicating internal disagreements over tactics and squad integration.
Prior to Leverkusen, ten Hag's most high-profile role was at Manchester United, where he was sacked in October 2024 after a challenging start to the 2024/25 Premier League season. Despite delivering trophies in each of his two full seasons at Old Trafford—the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024—persistent inconsistencies and a 14th-place standing in the league at the time of his departure sealed his fate. His time at United followed a highly successful period at Ajax, where he won three Eredivisie titles and guided the team to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019.
Ten Hag's move to a technical director role signals a potential pivot in his career trajectory, focusing on behind-the-scenes strategy rather than day-to-day coaching. At Twente, currently competing in the upper echelons of the Dutch top flight and known for their strong youth academy, he will oversee areas such as recruitment, squad planning, academy development, and overall football philosophy alignment. The club, which won the Eredivisie in 2010 and has a proud history as one of the Netherlands' traditional powers, sees ten Hag's vast experience—at clubs like Ajax, Go Ahead Eagles, Bayern Munich II (as assistant), Utrecht, and the aforementioned Premier League and Bundesliga sides—as key to building sustainable success.
The news has been met with positive reactions in Dutch football circles, with many viewing it as a fitting return for a coach who has often spoken of his affinity for Twente. Supporters have welcomed the appointment on social media, appreciating the emotional and historical resonance. Analysts note that this role could allow ten Hag to apply lessons from his high-pressure managerial positions in a less scrutinized environment, potentially grooming him for future opportunities or solidifying his legacy in club administration.
This development also underscores the volatile nature of top-level football management. Ten Hag's rapid rise from Dutch leagues to European giants, followed by back-to-back sackings, highlights the intense scrutiny faced by coaches. His short stint at Leverkusen, in particular, drew widespread media attention, with some outlets describing it as a "historic failure" due to its brevity. Yet, his track record of trophy-winning and developing young talent—evident in breakthroughs like those of Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt at Ajax—remains a strong asset.
As Twente prepare for ten Hag's integration, the club aims to leverage his expertise to maintain their competitive edge in the Eredivisie and European competitions. Current technical director Jan Streuer, credited with steadying the club in recent years, will facilitate a smooth transition before his retirement.
Ten Hag's journey back to his boyhood club encapsulates a full-circle moment in a career filled with highs and lows. It offers him a platform to contribute to football in a different capacity, away from the immediate pressures of the touchline, while staying connected to the sport he has dedicated his life to.
