Latest reports have stated that Erik ten Hag is keen on undertaking a surprise European job, and this may help save the career of a former Manchester United target.
Erik ten Hag was sacked from Manchester United in October 2024 after a poor run of results at the beginning of the 2024/25 campaign left the club languishing 15th in the Premier League table.
Ten Hag’s time at Old Trafford saw the 55-year-old lift two trophies, the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, in his two full seasons at the club, but with new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe not seeing eye-to-eye with the Dutchman’s vision for United, he departed.
He was temporarily replaced as an interim manager by former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy before Rúben Amorim took over as the club’s new head coach on a three-year deal.
However, the Portuguese man has had a rough time himself in the hot seat at Old Trafford, with United’s inconsistent performances leaving them in the bottom half of the domestic top-flight table, although results in the Europa League offer significant hope.
Ten Hag keen on Juventus job
Elsewhere in Europe, Thiago Motta has been sacked as manager of Serie A side Juventus, with Igor Tudor appointed on an initial contract until the end of the season.
However, a report from talkSPORT has claimed that, just a few months after he departed from Old Trafford, Ten Hag is eyeing the position in Turin, which is a slight surprise after he was previously tipped to potentially take a job back in the Netherlands instead.
It is claimed that the Dutchman would be “keen” on taking up the Juventus job in the coming summer, although he will no doubt face competition for the project.
Various Italian reports have stated that Roberto Mancini, current Al Nassr manager Stefano Pioli, and Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini are all under consideration for the job.
Ten Hag could save ex-United target’s career
When Ten Hag was at United, the club were heavily linked with the then-Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners, sending scouts to watch the player on multiple occasions last season.
Instead, the Dutch midfielder joined Juventus for a £46 million fee in the summer. He has since made 37 appearances, scoring three times and assisting a further three goals.
However, it has been pointed out by many fans of the Serie A club that Motta was not using the 27-year-old’s skills properly.
Should Ten Hag take the job at Juventus, it’s likely that the Dutch boss would be able to use Koopmeiners’ skills in the most effective way possible and help save his career at Juventus, considering his appreciation for the player prior to his sacking at Old Trafford.
Italian press have also pointed out that temporary boss Tudor is also expected to use the player in a more advanced role, where he often looks much more comfortable.
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