Erik Ten Hag Set for Shock Return to Management Just Weeks After Leaving Leverkusen

Former Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag is reportedly nearing a return to management, having been sacked by Bayern Leverkusen in September.

Ten Hag, 55, led Man United to two trophies – the 2023 League Cup and 2024 FA Cup – during his time at Old Trafford, but ultimately, inconsistent results resulted in his sacking in the autumn of 2024 when he was replaced by Ruben Amorim.

After a period away from football, the 55-year-old Dutchman landed the Leverkusen job following Xabi Alonso’s switch to Real Madrid, but Ten Hag lasted just two Bundesliga games before he was sacked.

This caused Ten Hag to describe his sacking as “unprecedented” before going on to claim that the hierarchy at the club did not grant him the “time and trust” needed before he added that their relationship was not based on “mutual trust”.

Despite his last two managerial roles seemingly not going as he would’ve liked, the 55-year-old could soon be set to return to the dugout.

Erik ten Hag was sacked in September (Credit:Getty)

A report from De Telegraaf, relayed by the Mirror, suggests that Ten Hag has been touted for a return to his former club Ajax.

The 55-year-old enjoyed success with the Amsterdam-based club between 2018 and 2022, a period during which he helped the side win three Eredivisie titles and two KNVB Cups as well as reach the 2019 UEFA Champions League semi-finals.

Former Liverpool assistant coach and Premier League centre-back John Heitinga is Ajax’s current head coach, having undertaken the role this summer.

However, despite boasting a record of four league wins and four draws heading into the side’s Eredivisie clash with Sparta Rotterdam on Saturday, some fans are not convinced by Heitinga and have already called for change as the club from the Dutch capital has tasted defeat in their Champions League group phase matches against Inter and Marseille.

According to De Telegraaf, Ajax could make a change in January if form does not improve under Heitinga, with Ten Hag expected to be one of the frontrunners for the role.

John Heitinga is under pressure at Ajax (Credit:Getty)

And this is not the first time Ten Hag has been linked with a return to the four-time European champions.

Back in May, the club’s technical director, Alex Kroes, confirmed there was interest in the ex-United boss.

"Erik ten Hag has been on the list for a long time,” Kroes admitted at the time.

“He is well-known; he did a fantastic job when he was here.”