Erik ten Hag did not consider a return to Ajax this summer. The 55-year-old coach states that he was already in negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen when he was linked to the Amsterdam club, the club with which he signed a contract on Monday.
Ten Hag was presented at Leverkusen on Monday, just hours after the news was announced. At the press conference, the Dutch coach was asked about the alleged interest from Ajax.
Initially, he avoided questions about his old club, but eventually, he gave an answer. “For me, it was not the right time to return, and it was never a serious option. I was already far along in the process here at Leverkusen,” said Ten Hag.
The Amsterdam club would have seen Ten Hag as the ideal candidate to succeed Francesco Farioli this summer. Technical director Alex Kroes acknowledged last week that the coach has been on the list “for a very long time.” But Ten Hag himself did not consider a return to Ajax.
“I still have a very good relationship with people at Ajax. I left Ajax to work abroad. I don’t want to look back now, because I want to move forward. I wish Ajax all the best and I wish them every success.”
Trainer career Ten Hag
2006-2009: FC Twente (assistant)2009-2012: PSV (assistant)
2012-2013: Go Ahead Eagles
2013-2015: Bayern München II
2015-2017: FC Utrecht
2017-2022: Ajax
2022-2024: Manchester United
2025: Bayer Leverkusen
‘Want to play attractive football’
Ten Hag further said that he is looking forward to his new job. The coach had been at home since October last year after being fired by Manchester United. He is happy that he has been able to rest in recent months.
“That has done me good. I have always worked 365 days a year. First as a football player and then in all sorts of other roles. Now I could do things that had nothing to do with football. I even went on a trip,” said Ten Hag, who no longer wanted to look back on his time at United. “That is history.”
At Leverkusen, Ten Hag faces a major challenge as the successor to successful coach Xabi Alonso. The Spaniard led the club to the national title for the first time in history last season. This season, Leverkusen finished second. Alonso has left for Real Madrid.
“Leverkusen has taken the step towards winning titles in recent years. I also want to win titles with this club. With attractive football and with football that appeals to people.”
Ten Hag thinks he can stay at the top with Leverkusen, even if some players are likely to leave. For example, Jonathan Tah is leaving the club on a free transfer, Jeremie Frimpong is almost certain to move to Liverpool, and Florian Wirtz is also said to be close to a transfer to ‘The Reds’. “If a team is so successful, there are always players who are in the spotlight. But I am sure that we can build a successful team with new players.”
Leverkusen wanted Ten Hag as early as 2021
Sporting director Simon Rolfes also joined the press conference and said that Leverkusen already tried to bring Ten Hag to the club in 2021. At the time, Ten Hag remained loyal to Ajax.
Now Leverkusen has the former Ajax coach. “It is always important for us that the football fits the club, that we think the same about it. We saw that at Ajax, when the club reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2019 with great football,” said Rolfes.