Erik ten Hag is a Dutch professional football manager known for his tactical approach and success with various clubs, including a distinguished period with Ajax and achieving silverware at Manchester United. After successfully guiding Go Ahead Eagles to promotion to the Eredivisie in his debut season as manager in 2012–13, Erik ten Hag established himself as a prominent football manager following a distinguished playing career as a centre-back. During his time as a player, ten Hag secured the Eerste Divisie title with De Graafschap in the 1990–91 season and later captained FC Twente to win the KNVB Cup in 2000–01 before retiring from active playing in 2002. His early managerial success continued impressively at Bayern Munich II from 2013 to 2015, where he not only managed the reserve team but also secured promotion to the Regionalliga Bayern in 2014.

With a proven track record of securing promotions, winning major domestic cups and league titles, and achieving significant European tournament runs across different competitive environments, ten Hag remains a highly regarded and strategically astute figure in professional football management.