FC Twente has appointed Erik ten Hag as their technical director, returning to the club where he began his playing career and later coached youth, with the role focusing on long-term development rather than day-to-day first-team duties.

Ten Hag previously managed Ajax Amsterdam and Manchester United, winning two trophies with United before his 2024 departure, and he will now guide Twente’s strategic growth.

Twente sits seventh in the Eredivisie at the time of the announcement, as the club moves to strengthen its technical foundation ahead of the 2026 season through a contract that runs through 2028.

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Before accepting Twente, Ten Hag was linked with Ajax and other options after leaving United, and reportedly declined an Ajax offer before choosing the Twente project.

The move marks a return to the Netherlands after stints abroad, including Bayern Munich’s reserves from 2013 to 2015.

Ten Hag’s contract with Twente runs through the summer of 2028, signaling a long-term project for the club.

There is buzz among supporters about how he will shape Twente’s competitive squads and build a sustainable philosophy aligned with the club’s origins.

This is framed as a notable administrative shift in Twente’s hierarchy, with Ten Hag succeeding Jan Streuer as part of ongoing organizational planning.

Ten Hag’s role emphasizes long-term strategy, youth development, recruitment, and a cohesive club philosophy rather than daily first-team management.