Tragedy and Triumph: How Erik ten Hag's Formative Years at FC Twente Shaped the Man Behind Manchester United's Resurgence

Erik ten Hag, the current manager of Manchester United, is set to face a club close to his heart in the Europa League on Wednesday. However, the history of FC Twente, United's upcoming opponents, is deeply intertwined with the personal tragedies that shaped Ten Hag's fledgling career. From the devastating plane crash that claimed the lives of his teammates to the fatal fireworks disaster that rocked the club's city, these events have left an indelible mark on the man who now stands at the helm of one of the world's most iconic football clubs.

Uncovering the Resilience and Compassion that Forged a Legendary Manager

The Unimaginable Tragedy that Shook Twente

In 1989, the Netherlands Under-21 team, including Twente's star player Andy Scharmin, was en route to Suriname for a pre-season friendly when their plane crashed on approach, claiming the lives of 176 people, including Scharmin and 13 of his teammates. This devastating event left an indelible mark on the club and its players, including a young Erik ten Hag, who served as a pallbearer at Scharmin's funeral. The United manager has since maintained a day of mourning every June 7th to honor his fallen teammate and friend.

A Second Tragedy Strikes Twente

Just a year after the plane crash, Twente suffered another devastating loss when promising midfielder Tom Krommendijk, who had recently joined the club from Feyenoord, died in a car accident following the team's first match of the season. These two tragic events, occurring within a span of 14 months, left an indelible mark on the club and its players, including the young Ten Hag, who had only recently departed Twente but remained deeply connected to the team.

Uniting a City in the Wake of Disaster

In 1994, Ten Hag returned to Twente, where he would finish his playing career. In May 2000, the city of Enschede, home to Twente, was rocked by a catastrophic fireworks explosion that claimed 23 lives and injured 950 others. As the club's captain at the time, Ten Hag led his team onto the field just three days later, in an emotional 2-2 draw against NAC Breda. A year after the disaster, Ten Hag captained Twente to their first trophy in 24 years, the Dutch Cup, bringing much-needed joy to the community.

Shaping a Coaching Legend: Ten Hag's Formative Years at Twente

After retiring from playing, Ten Hag's connection to Twente deepened as he took on roles in the club's youth development and coaching staff. His dedication to the club was evident, even as he occasionally "chucked" his coaching lessons to attend the local carnival. Despite this, Ten Hag's passion and knowledge were recognized, and he was soon entrusted to lead training sessions during the early days of Steve McClaren's tenure as Twente's manager.

The Lasting Impact of Twente on Ten Hag's Coaching Philosophy

The tragedies and triumphs that Ten Hag experienced at Twente have had a profound impact on the man he has become. Former teammate Theo Snelders describes Ten Hag as a "caring soul" who is not just interested in the player but also the person and their families. This empathetic approach, honed during his formative years at Twente, has undoubtedly shaped Ten Hag's coaching philosophy and his ability to connect with players on a deeper level. As he prepares to face his former club in the Europa League, the lessons learned and the bonds forged at Twente will undoubtedly be a driving force behind his continued success at Manchester United.