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Erik ten Hag linked with Ajax return, possible reunion with former Manchester United forward

Originally posted on HITC | By Dale O'Donnell | Last updated Nov 6, 2025 10:55 AM ET

Erik ten Hag is being considered as a potential option to take over from John Heitinga at Ajax if the club decides to make a change.

He arrived at Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, stepping in for Xabi Alonso, but his time there was brief. The Bundesliga club let him go after less than 10 weeks in charge.

Ten Hag is currently without a club and has been mentioned in connection with several jobs, though it’s unclear if he plans to return immediately or take some time away from the game.

There were also links between Ten Hag and Premier League side Wolves, who have struggled this season. However, those talks haven’t led to anything concrete yet.

This season has seen more than one former Manchester United manager lose their job. Jose Mourinho was let go by Fenerbahce and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was dismissed by Besiktas. Meanwhile, Ten Hag’s replacement at Old Trafford, Ruben Amorim, had a slow start to the season but has managed to turn things around recently with four straight matches unbeaten.

Erik ten Hag discusses future with Ajax director

John Heitinga took charge of Ajax at the start of the season, but the former Everton and Fulham defender hasn’t managed to get things going, either in the league or in Europe.

The Dutch side sit fourth in the Eredivisie, having collected just 20 points from their opening 11 fixtures. That leaves them eight points behind league leaders Feyenoord and PSV. Heitinga’s night got even worse on Wednesday when Galatasaray handed Ajax a heavy 3-0 defeat.

Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images

There’s no suggestion Ten Hag is looking for a return to Amsterdam just yet. Speaking before his recent dismissal from Bayer Leverkusen, he made it clear he wasn’t thinking about heading back to Ajax anytime soon.

Kroes, according to the report, knows what he has to do to turn things around at Ajax. That includes hiring Ten Hag as Heitinga’s successor to halt the club’s decline.

He said: “Right now? No. I really enjoyed working there and have built up great memories and friendships there. But at this stage I’m fully focused on my role here at Bayern.”

Erik ten Hag could be reunited with Wout Weghorst

After spending time on loan at Besiktas, United and Hoffenheim, Wout Weghorst made the move from Burnley to Ajax in 2024.

If Ten Hag ends up back at Ajax as manager, he’d be working again with the 33-year-old striker, who was a January loan signing for him at Old Trafford in 2023.

Weghorst’s time at United was less memorable for fans, as he failed to find the net in the Premier League. During his stint at Old Trafford, he scored twice – once in the Carabao Cup and once in the Europa League.

However, his spell coincided with a positive moment for the club. United won the Carabao Cup in 2023, ending a six-year wait for silverware.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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