Erik ten Hag appears to aim thinly veiled dig at Man United with pointed comments about owners who ‘lack knowledge’ after being unveiled at surprise new job

Erik ten Hag has spoken out about the ruthless world of football and the rise of ‘opportunistic’ figures in club hierarchies behind the scenes, while appearing to reference Manchester United after accepting a surprising new position at his former club FC Twente. 

The ex-Man United head coach was announced as the new technical director at the club were he made his name as a player last week, months after he was sacked by Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen after just three matches in charge. 

‘I was dismissed without having the chance to prove my approach works’ Ten Hag said at his unveiling. ‘If you look at my resume, it’s always been pretty good. 

‘The way I work has always led to success,’ he added. 

Ten Hag previously received similarly cutthroat treatment at Old Trafford, where he was fired in the autumn of 2024 mere months after the club’s hierarchy opted to back him during the summer transfer window, and amid roiling speculation over his exit.  

‘Of course it was disappointing,’ Ten Hag continued. ‘But this is the world of football. Look at Xabi Alonso of Real Madrid. 

The former Man United manager was given his marching orders by Jim Ratcliffe and Co in 2024

‘It happens to him too, even though he’s the top manager in Europe. It happens to almost all managers.’

‘It’s becoming increasingly extreme. You see more and more owners joining clubs who want to make their mark. 

‘They generally have very little understanding of the subject matter. Technical directors also often make opportunistic decisions when results are disappointing.’

Ten Hag’s words seem all the more prescient at the start of this year, with Enzo Maresca’s exit at Chelsea seeming to exemplify concerns head coach have with the growing role of sporting directors and owners in their player management. 

On Sunday evening, Alonso was sacked by Real Madrid months after his long-awaited appointment, with the former galactico thought to have been incensed by the dissent of some of his star players. 

Most tellingly, last week Ten Hag’s former club also provided a persuasive example with Man United’s firing of Ruben Amorim – the manager who replaced Ten Hag in November 2024. 

Amorim is believed to have been handed his marching orders amid a major rift with director of football Jason Wilcox and members of the club hierarchy who are thought to have wanted the Portuguese coach to change his playing systems. 

The head coach – who once said that even ‘the Pope’ would be unable to tempt him away from playing with three at the back – hit out at those who would not see him as a ‘manager’ in an extraordinary rant just hours before he was sacked last Monday. 

Fans were quick to place some of the blame at the feet of United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe, with fan group The ’58 dubbing the petrochemicals billionaire a ‘clown’ overseeing the club’s transition into a ‘circus’ and from ‘best in class’ to ‘laughing stock’. 

Ten Hag also opted to keep his cards close to his chest regarding a potential return to management, after choosing to step away from the touchline and take up the position at Twente. 

‘You never know,’ he added. ‘Football is unpredictable. 

‘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.’