Erik ten Hag offers a lift from the station in Enschede, in the east of the Netherlands, driving a silver Range Rover after a day's work as technical director at FC Twente's stadium, De Grolsch Veste. The two drive through the Dutch countryside to Ros van Twente, the hotel he co-owns with his brothers, Michel and Rico, and John Berghaan and Anita Stappenbeld, who run it. "They got married two weeks ago as a surprise," says Ten Hag, grinning.
Two years after the end of his time in charge of Manchester United, Ten Hag is relaxed. He shares the history of the area, from the Germans, English and Americans who lived on the military airport base, to his taste for 1980s music. He then recalls a devastating event in 2000, when a fireworks depot exploded, killing 23 people, injuring 950 and destroying 400 homes. Twente's training ground was close by, and the club ordered the squad to play its final match of the season the next day, a trip to Feyenoord. Ten Hag criticised the executives: "Everyone is agreeing now: you can't play football when your city is burning."
Ten Hag's willingness to speak his mind runs through the conversation in a private dining room at the hotel. He opens up on the use of data at United and his offer to INEOS, why a 2-2 draw with Sevilla in April 2023 was a turning point in his reign, and how that summer's pre-season "killed" players.
He also discusses adding dynamism to Kobbie Mainoo's game and the rationale for picking Noussair Mazraoui at No 10 in Istanbul.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing