Ten Hag? Van Bommel? FC Twente stance clear on search for new boss: “We’re not going to rush anything” | OneFootball

FC Twente began preparations for their home match against NAC Breda on Monday afternoon under interim coach Ivar van Dinteren.

Technical director Jan Streuer initially hoped to have a successor for Joseph Oosting, who was dismissed on Thursday, signed within a few days, but that was not successful.

Already, both Erik ten Hag and Mark van Bommel have indicated they are currently not interested in joining FC Twente. “I’ve only made inquiries,” says Streuer. “I haven’t had a proper conversation with anyone yet. I’ve made a few phone calls to inquire about the situation of certain managers. Van Bommel and Ten Hag were among them, along with a few others. Some are still committed to a club, while others are free.”

“It might seem like we’ve already sat down with Van Bommel, but it was just a phone call. He wanted to bring four of his own people. Some coaches work that way, and I can understand that, that you want to work with people you know well. But we also have confidence in our own people. And we’re not going to fire three or four people just to appoint a new coach.”

PORTO, PORTUGAL – NOVEMBER 07: Mark van Bommel, Head Coach of Royal Antwerp, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League match between FC Porto and Royal Antwerp FC at Estadio do Dragao on November 07, 2023 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)

Van Bommel reportedly had doubts about FC Twente’s current squad. Streuer considers it better than last season, but the Limburg native reportedly sees some shortcomings.

“That’s possible and permissible, but you can say the same about the squads at Feyenoord and Ajax. We had a mediocre start, that’s a fact. We wanted to know Van Bommel’s attitude. And he didn’t say, ‘I’m eager.’ We now need a manager who’s eager. If you have to ask someone three times to convince them, that doesn’t work well either.”

René Hake is reportedly among the remaining candidates. FC Twente hasn’t yet approached Feyenoord about the assistant coach, who previously served as head coach in Enschede. Streuer won’t say whether Hake is an option.

“I won’t comment on other names.” Nor will he comment on whether it will be a Dutchman. “But that’s a lot easier, because you know them all. You know their weaknesses and their strengths. We haven’t spoken to anyone yet, but that will happen soon.”

“It would have been ideal if we had found a successor quickly, but we’re not going to rush anything. As long as we have a good coach. Ivar is taking over now; he’s perfectly capable of doing it.” Van Dinteren, who returned as assistant coach last summer, isn’t a long-term option, according to Streuer. “The intention is to appoint another coach.”

GBeNeFN | Max Bradfield