Former Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag returns to football five days after Old Trafford sacking

Erik ten Hag didn’t waste any time returning to the football scene after his abrupt departure from Manchester United. Sacked on Monday following a disappointing 2-1 loss at West Ham, ten Hag flew back to his homeland to ponder over his exit.

In a twist of fate, he narrowly missed crossing paths with Omar Berrada, the executive responsible for his sacking, at the airport.

Despite the setback, ten Hag and his team walked away with a hefty £14 million severance package, courtesy of an earlier contract renewal in the summer by United. This windfall might afford him some breathing space before jumping back into management, yet his passion for the sport seems undiminished.

The 54 year old was seen soaking up the action from the stands at Erve Asito stadium this Saturday, witnessing Heracles Almelo’s victory over NAC Breda in the Dutch Eredivisie. Dressed in a flat cap and coat, ten Hag was accompanied by his entourage, enjoying Brian De Keersmaecker’s brace that secured a 2-0 win for the home side.

The venue in Almelo is not far from Haaksbergen, where ten Hag grew up and where many of his family still reside.

After being “devastated” by his Old Trafford dismissal, which ended his two-and-a-half-year tenure, ten Hag is likely seeking distraction. He believed he warranted more time to implement his vision at United, especially after a rocky start that saw the team gather only 11 points from the first nine Premier League matches.

In an emotional farewell message released on Friday, following the announcement of Ruben Amorim as his successor, he expressed his gratitude: “Dear fans, let me start by thanking you. Thank you for always being there for the club. Whether it was at a game far away or a tough match at Old Trafford, your support has been unshakeable,” he said.

“I want to thank you for giving me this feeling and for your support. I also want to thank the staff in every department of the club for their unwavering support in good times and bad. We won two trophies – achievements that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Of course, my dream was to bring more trophies to the cabinet. Unfortunately, that dream has come to an end.”

“I wish all Manchester United fans nothing but success, trophies and glory. Your support and the warmth I received from everyone at the club helped me feel at home. Thank you for this chapter in my life. Erik.”

After United’s 5-2 victory over Leicester with Ruud van Nistelrooy temporarily at the helm, all eyes are now on whether Ten Hag will be present for the upcoming Premier League clash against Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.