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Having made his name as one of the best coaches in Europe during a stellar tenure at Ajax, where he secured three Dutch titles and led the Amsterdam club to the semi-finals of the Champions League, Erik ten Hag has faced challenges in his recent managerial roles.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Ten Hag’s two-year spells at Manchester United and Roma concluded on disappointing notes, with reports highlighting poor results and alleged tensions with players and staff. At Manchester United, he was dismissed in October 2024 after two and a half years in charge, despite winning two domestic trophies during his tenure. His time in Rome has been surrounded by speculation, though no confirmed managerial stint at the club is recorded at this time. The coach was seen in the stands of the Olimpico in the match that saw Roma draw 1-1 against Juventus.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Despite his previous success, Ten Hag’s reputation has taken a hit in recent years. In his homeland, sentiments about his abilities seem to have cooled significantly. Reports have suggested that he is reluctant to go back into coaching although there are rumours he may be positioning himself for an opportunity in Serie A.
Italian media recently noted that he was spotted attending the Roma vs. Juventus game on April 6, 2025, intensifying speculation about his future. While he could merely be enjoying a match as a guest, there are ongoing rumors linking Ten Hag with managerial roles at both Roma and Juventus, as they search for new coaches ahead of the upcoming season. However, Juventus has recently appointed Tudor, so his chances of leading the Bianconeri next season are slim.
WHAT TEN HAG SAID?
Reflecting on his tenure at Manchester United, Ten Hag told CNN: “I think United is a great club. I get the history. One of the biggest clubs in the world. You see how big the support of United is throughout the world. And yeah, that’s what I often think back to—not often, but when I do, that’s what I remind myself. That, and of course, the players, the staff.”
Discussing his admiration for Italian football, he added: “The world is big and football is everywhere. Every time that I talk about Rome, I say: beware, Italy is a fantastic environment. It’s really the birthplace of civilization, and the last three weeks I’ve stayed here again and it’s fantastic.”
He also commented on the culture of football in Italy, saying, “Beware, also the football culture is interesting. That’s why I repeatedly say beware if there is a good situation, I could definitely stay.”
