Dutch manager Erik ten Hag is primarily known for his spells at the helm of Manchester United and Ajax. But an equally fascinating, albeit lesser-known, part of his Soccer career, were his days as an outfield player.
The 53-year-old rose to prominence after stepping into management. However, fans remain interested in finding out more about the Dutchman’s playing career. In their pursuit of learning more about ten Hag, users online stumbled upon an old interview, featuring the manager in his early 30s.
A photo of Erik ten Hag during his playing days at FC Twente 😳🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/3asi39baQZ
— mufcmpb (@mufcMPB) October 21, 2022
Erik ten Hag’s playing career started with Twente, a club in the first division of Dutch Soccer – Eredivisie. He primarily played as a center-back and focused on the defensive side of things. The Dutchman moved between numerous clubs in the Netherlands, before returning to Twente for the third time in 1996. It was during his third spell that he won the biggest honor of his career; the KNVB Cup.
After lifting the title, an elated ten Hag delivered a post-match interview to a female presenter. And somehow, fans online have managed to unearth the vintage footage.
The brief interview kicks off in a bizarre fashion, as the presenter offers a bit of ‘Dutch appreciation’, and kisses ten Hag numerous times on the cheek. Following this, the ex-player heaps praise on his goalkeeper. before rejoining the title celebrations.
🎥 Footage of Erik ten Hag doing an interview as the captain of FC Twente back in 2000-01 when they won the KNVB Cup.❤️🇳🇱
pic.twitter.com/R3GEh6k2T7— 𝗧𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗴’𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘀 ✍🏼🇳🇱 (@TenHagBall_) June 27, 2023
The clip itself is pretty standard in terms of what one can expect from interviews, barring the kisses of course. Nevertheless, this didn’t stop fans online from cracking jokes about ten Hag’s playing days.
Looks like Eriksen https://t.co/yc3BPeExEV
— KO🫵🏾🔟 (@UTDKO7) June 27, 2023
Man wanted a kiss https://t.co/X4mhadw4Tz
— Lewandowski🇵🇱⚽| (@SuruEbikimi20) June 27, 2023
Why is he kissing her in camera… https://t.co/5HI3rsGtKM
— Inqiad Bin Ali🔰 (@AliInqiad) June 27, 2023
Eriksen and can see his future im sure https://t.co/9WEoAc08CV
— Renaissance Attender (@CasaDupre) June 27, 2023
I see why ten Hag likes Eriksen https://t.co/mBkL9HgBbJ
— Ché (@chemyname__) June 27, 2023
The reactions emphasized how random the kissing was, while also pointing out how similar ten Hag looked to Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen.
How many titles did Erik ten Hag win as a player?
The Manchester United manager’s playing career spanned 13 years, beginning in 1989 with Twente. He transferred to De Graafschap the very next year and enjoyed a successful debut season. ten Hag lifted his first piece of silverware at the club; the Eerste Divisie league title. A number of moves to various Dutch clubs followed, including a return to Twente in 1992.
However, the transfers failed to bring about more trophies, until his final spell at Twente during the 2000-01 season. The 51-year-old was part of that year’s KNVB Cup-winning team. The final of the tournament, contested between PSV and Twente, finished all square. After a round of penalties, Twente emerged victorious, and ten Hag earned his second, and final title, as a player.