Erik Ten Haag Linked with Spurs job to replace Thomas Frank makes his stance known
Erik ten Hag Explains Why He Would Reject Managing a Club Like Tottenham Hotspur
Erik ten Hag has long been linked with several Premier League clubs whenever vacancies arise, and Tottenham Hotspur is often mentioned among the hypothetical destinations for the Dutch manager. But in a recent conversation, Ten Hag made it clear that taking charge of a club like Spurs is not a move he would consider — and he offered direct, revealing comments explaining why.
His reasoning reflects his well-known footballing principles: long-term planning, structural stability, and a commitment to building methodically rather than chasing results under pressure.
A Question of Stability and Vision
Ten Hag began by clarifying that his stance had nothing to do with Tottenham’s prestige or fanbase, but rather the conditions under which he believes a manager can truly succeed.
“Tottenham is a fantastic club with great supporters and strong ambition,” Ten Hag said. “But for me, success comes from stability, clarity of direction, and full alignment between the manager, the board, and the players. If that alignment is not there, you are simply setting yourself up for problems before the season even starts.”
His philosophy has always emphasized the importance of time and patience, particularly when rebuilding squads or navigating periods of transition — values he feels are increasingly rare in high-pressure Premier League environments.
Immediate Expectations Over Long-Term Growth
Tottenham, a club that has cycled through several managers in recent years, remains under constant demand for quick success. Ten Hag suggested that such an environment is fundamentally incompatible with the kind of project he prefers.
“In some clubs, the expectation for instant results makes real development almost impossible,” he explained. “If supporters and the media want top-four football and trophies straight away, you cannot build properly. Every setback becomes a crisis. That is not the environment where I do my best work.”
He added that managerial turnover and internal pressure can undermine even the most talented coaches.
Autonomy and Trust Are Non-Negotiable
Ten Hag’s managerial career — from Ajax’s Champions League run to his rebuilding efforts in Manchester — shows a clear pattern: he thrives when he has autonomy, clear backing, and the freedom to implement his ideas.
“After my experiences, I know exactly what conditions are necessary for a football project to succeed,” he said. “You need trust, you need a shared vision, and you need patience. Without that, it doesn’t matter how good the squad is or how big the stadium is — the project won’t work.”
While he praised Tottenham’s infrastructure and talent, he hinted that the lack of long-term stability at board level is a decisive factor.
Protecting His Legacy and Principles
Ten Hag also acknowledged the personal risk involved in taking on roles where expectations outweigh the resources or time offered to managers.
“A manager must protect his principles and his reputation,” he said. “If the foundations are shaky, it can damage everything you have built in your career. I will only go somewhere if I am convinced there is unity and a long-term plan.”
This mindset underscores why he remains selective about future opportunities, choosing projects that match his footballing identity rather than chasing high-profile appointments.
A Clear Position on His Future
While Ten Hag maintains respect for Tottenham, his comments leave no room for misinterpretation: he would not consider managing the club under its current environment.
His remarks highlight a broader truth about top-level coaching — success depends not only on tactical expertise but also on the stability and vision of the club itself. For Ten Hag, those elements are non-negotiable.
As he summed it up:
“I don’t choose jobs for the badge alone. I choose them for the project. And the project must be right from the foundation up.”