“I’m not doing anything until July”

In an open and candid conversation with host Joost Hofman, Ten Hag reflects on his 22-year coaching career. “Football never stops. You’re always thinking about the next match. At the same time, you’ve got to keep an eye on the bigger picture and shape your long-term vision. You have to sacrifice things, my social life is pretty limited. But you get a lot in return. That’s what makes it worth it for me.”

Speaking about his time at Manchester United, he says: “I really enjoyed it. English football, the fans… People would come up to me on the streets of Manchester—always positive, always engaged. We gave them two trophies after six years without silverware, and they really appreciated that.”

Ten Hag admits he misses Old Trafford: “Before every match, I’d take a moment to walk out onto the pitch alone while the stadium was still empty. It’s such an iconic place. I’d soak up the atmosphere, process the emotions. If there’s one thing I miss right now, it’s Old Trafford.”

Looking back on the highlights of his time with Ajax, he says: “The match against Real Madrid in the 2019 Champions League is still fresh in my mind. The team was perfect in every way—so much football intelligence, technical skill and team spirit. But above all, the confidence and street smarts. It was an incredible team and an amazing period.”

SEG Stories, produced by international management agency SEG, shares inspiring stories from the world of elite sports and entertainment. SEG Stories is hosted by Joost Hofman.

 The SEG Stories podcast with Erik ten Hag is available now on all major platforms.

 Or watch it on the SEG Stories channel on YouTube.