Ex-Man United boss Erik ten Hag turns down managerial return after Leverkusen sack | OneFootball

Former Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag reportedly turned down the chance to make an immediate return to management, just weeks after Bayer Leverkusen sacked him.

Ten Hag approached by FC Twente

A recent report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that FC Twente had approached Ten Hag over their vacant managerial position.

Earlier this month, Twente parted ways with manager Joseph Oosting following a disappointing start to the Eredivisie season.

Oosting missed out on Europe after losing last season’s play-off final to AZ, before enduring a nightmare start to 2025/26 with three defeats in Twente’s first four games.

It was stated that Ten Hag, who is available, was a candidate for the role.

Ten Hag was relieved of his duties as Leverkusen gaffer after just two Bundesliga games. It later emerged that the Dutchman failed to connect with the squad, tried to influence the Bundesliga outfit’s transfer plans and even strongly recommended players who were represented by his SEG agency.

These actions did not go down well with the Leverkusen hierarchy, who opted to pull the trigger early rather than let a negative situation persist. Leverkusen have since hired Kasper Hjulmand to replace Ten Hag.

Twente also recently confirmed the appointment of John van den Brom as their new manager, but according to De Telegraaf, Ten Hag was offered the job, which he rejected.

Why Ten Hag turned down Twente

De Telegraaf reveal that Twente were informed that Ten Hag was not interested in taking over at De Grolsch Veste.

There was hope from the club’s supporters that he would return to the team he played for, but he “indicated he does not want to.”

It’s understood that if Ten Hag had taken the job so soon, it would have impacted his €6m (£5.2m) Leverkusen severance package.

Ten Hag’s name is expected to “come up again in the future,” so he may still manage Twente one day.

Feature image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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