Erik ten Hag has returned to his hometown of Oldenzaal, Netherlands, after being sacked as Manchester United manager.
Following his dismissal, he quickly headed to Manchester Airport, where a private jet took him back home, covering about 500 miles in just hours.
The 54-ear-old sought solace in the company of his supportive parents, Hennie and Joke, at his £1 million home.
His departure from United came after a dismal start to the season, with the team sitting 14th in the Premier League.
A recent 2-1 defeat to West Ham was the final straw for the club’s board, ending his tumultuous tenure despite an exit package of around £13.5 million after signing a two-year contract extension just months prior.
Residents of Oldenzaal, a town of 31,000 near the Dutch-German border, have expressed their admiration for Ten Hag, recalling his playing days with local team Twente.
They appreciate his return to the tranquil town, where he enjoys relative anonymity and a slower pace of life, away from the pressures of managing a top club.
Many locals have sympathy for him, recognizing the challenges he faced at United.
One neighbour said: ‘It’s no surprise that Erik was visited by Hennie and Joke.
‘They are a close family and his parents are very proud and very, very supportive.
‘In fact everyone around Oldenzaal is very proud of him and very respectful of the ten Hags.
‘He can relax and feel like he has his privacy when he is here – and I’m sure that’s very different to what he experienced in Manchester and why he was quick to return.’
Article updated 2 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
