Erik Ten Hag keen to reunite with former United loanee Wout Weghorst | OneFootball

Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is looking to make a strong start in his new role as sporting director of FC Twente and he is hoping a reunion with a player he brought to Old Trafford could be key to the Dutch side enjoying a strong campaign next season.

Ten Hag’s new role marks something of a new chapter for the former Ajax manager, as it is his first move into a technical position rather than being involved in the coaching side of football. It will surely present the FA Cup winner with a number of challenges, and he will surely be hoping to find more success in the role than he did in his last few managerial positions.

His time at United

Expectations were high when ten Hag was announced as Manchester United manager, with many fans hoping the Dutch tactician would bring the free-flowing, exciting football his Ajax team played so well to the Premier League. Unfortunately for the Red Devils, this was not the case.

Across his 128 matches at the helm of United, Ten Hag’s side played uninspiring and unexciting football, resulting in just 72 wins and ensuring the manager ended his time at the club with a truly disappointing win rate.

Ten Hag did deliver a major trophy during his time with the mighty Reds, though, and he did it in style by beating local rivals Manchester City 2-1 in the FA Cup final. The Dutchman also deserves credit for bringing a number of academy graduates into the first team, most notably Kobbie Mainoo.

A new opportunity

After an incredibly disappointing spell at Bayer Leverkusen, which saw the former United manager sacked after just three games, Ten Hag was given the opportunity to return to the club where he started his coaching career, becoming the sporting director at FC Twente.

With the transfer window now open, ten Hag has his first real chance to influence the team at FC Twente, and he will surely be looking to make a statement by bringing in a number of new signings. While on punditry duty during the World Cup, the former centre-back named one ex-United player he would love to reunite with.

Wout Weghorst

Ten Hag signed giant striker Wout Weghorst on a six-month loan deal in January 2023. It was a move that left many United fans underwhelmed and, unfortunately, Weghorst failed to prove his doubters wrong. Though he made an impressive 31 appearances in his time at the club, the Netherlands international found the back of the net just twice and only registered a single goal involvement in the Premier League.

His tepid performances at Old Trafford have not deterred ten Hag, however, as the technical director recently revealed his desire to reunite with the 33-year-old striker once again. Quoted via Dutch outlet Tubantia, ten Hag said: “At Twente, we are naturally always interested in Wout Weghorst. He is a boy with true Twente roots. We are incredibly proud of everything Wout has achieved.”

“I have known Wout and the Weghorst family for a very long time. Back then, Wout was just a little boy playing for NEO. Of course, I would love to have him on the team. Who wouldn’t want a striker like Wout Weghorst?”

Despite his interest, Ten Hag made it clear Weghorst’s focus will be entirely on the World Cup at present. “Wout is focusing on the World Cup right now. He wants to become world champion.”

Should the Netherlands manage to lift the coveted trophy this summer, Ten Hag will likely endear himself to FC Twente fans if he manages to bring in a World Cup winner.

Featured image Eddie Keogh via Getty Images

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