Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is to return to his old club FC Twente as technical director from next season, the club has announced.
The Dutchman has signed a contract until mid-2028, returning to the club where he began his playing career in 1989 and ended it in 2002.
The 55-year-old will join the Enschede club on February 1 and succeed technical director Jan Streuer, who retires at the end of the season.
“I think it’s wonderful and special to return to FC Twente, where I’ve been a supporter since I was a young boy,” Ten Hag said in a statement on the club’s website.
“My football career began here. With my experience in youth development, team building, and elite sports culture, I want to strengthen FC Twente’s technical foundation so that the club can sustainably realize its potential as a regional flagship.”
After retiring as a player at Twente, Ten Hag became head of the youth academy and then assistant manager before going on to coach at Go Ahead Eagles, FC Utrecht, Ajax Amsterdam and Manchester United, who fired him in October 2024.
He became Bayer Leverkusen coach last year, making a return to Germany where he had already spent two seasons as coach of Bayern Munich’s reserves from 2013 to 2015.
But his contract with Leverkusen was terminated after just two Bundesliga matches, a record in Germany. Ajax approached Ten Hag in November about succeeding sacked coach John Heitinga, but he said he had no interest in returning to Amsterdam.
Ten Hag back to his roots at FC Twente from next season
https://arab.news/c7f44
Ten Hag back to his roots at FC Twente from next season
- The Dutchman has signed a contract until mid-2028, returning to the club where he began his playing career in 1989 and ended it in 2002
WWE star praises Saudi fans as excitement builds on eve of Royal Rumble in Riyadh
- The event on Saturday at the newly built, 25,000-seater KAFD Arena will be the first traditional Royal Rumble staged outside North America
- Saudi fans ‘are so energetic and loud … They’re bringing the energy. They’re going to bring it to SmackDown, to Royal Rumble and, next year, to WrestleMania,’ says WWE star Matt Cardona
RIYADH: A landmark Royal Rumble weekend in Riyadh got underway on Friday, with WWE superstar Matt Cardona sharing his impressions of Saudi Arabia and the local fans as momentum built for the promotion’s marquee premium live event on Saturday.
The event, part of Riyadh Season, is the first “Big Five” WWE show of the year and the first traditional Royal Rumble staged outside North America. It will take place at the newly built KAFD Arena, which was constructed in a record-breaking time of just 35 days, and has seating for about 25,000 fans, an open-roof design and what are described as immersive architectural elements.
In recent years, WWE has expanded its global footprint by staging major events across the Middle East and Europe, offering fans in Saudi Arabia and other countries the opportunity to see their favorite fighters in action.
Cardona told Arab News that the relationship between WWE and Riyadh Season continues to grow, and revealed what he and his fellow wrestlers have been up to since arriving in the Kingdom.
“We went to Six Flags, we rode the tallest, longest roller coaster, then we get to wrestle,” said the former WWE US and Intercontinental Champion and NWA World Heavyweight Champion.
“So for me, as a big fan, a big kid, getting to go to Six Flags when I get to wrestle, this is a dream come true.”
Professional wrestling has built a strong following in Saudi Arabia over the years, and now generations of fans who grew up watching bouts on television have the chance to attend major events in person and see their favorite stars in action.
What once seemed a distant dream for many in the Kingdom has become a reality in recent years, after the WWE and the Saudi General Entertainment Authority began working together to bring live events to the country in line with Saudi Vision 2030’s entertainment goals.
Cardona has been impressed by the passion and enthusiasm of the Saudi fans he has encountered.
“The fans here are so energetic and loud,” he said. “Even yesterday, we were just doing meet-and-greets, photo ops and autographs, and they’re chanting like we’re already in the ring.
“They’re bringing the energy. They’re going to bring it to SmackDown, to Royal Rumble and, next year, to WrestleMania.”
Since the partnership with Saudi authorities began, WWE has staged several major events in the Kingdom including Crown Jewel, Elimination Chamber, and King and Queen of the Ring. The date for next year’s WrestleMania 43 in Riyadh has yet to be announced.
