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Erik ten Hag's Journey: Tragedy and Triumph at FC Twente
Erik ten Hag's journey from a promising young footballer to Manchester United manager has been shaped by significant and tragic events during his time at FC Twente. As Ten Hag prepares to face Twente in the Europa League, the club holds deep emotional meaning for him. His career was heavily influenced by three defining moments that occurred while at Twente: a devastating plane crash, a car accident, and a deadly fireworks disaster.
The first tragedy occurred in June 1989 when his teammate, Andy Scharmin, and 16 other young footballers were killed in a plane crash en route to Suriname. Scharmin, a rising star, was a close friend of Ten Hag, and his death left an indelible mark. Ten Hag, along with other Twente players, served as pallbearers at the funeral. Every year on June 7, Ten Hag observes a day of mourning to honor Scharmin's memory. It was a profound moment that cemented his connection to the club and its players.
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Just a year later, tragedy struck again when Tom Krommendijk, another young Twente player, lost his life in a car crash. Despite leaving Twente briefly, Ten Hag’s emotional ties to the club never wavered. These back-to-back losses created a strong sense of camaraderie and resilience within the Twente team.
In 2000, during Ten Hag's second stint with Twente, the city of Enschede was rocked by a catastrophic fireworks disaster that claimed 23 lives and caused widespread destruction. As captain of Twente, Ten Hag led his team onto the pitch just days after the tragedy. His leadership during this period was crucial in uniting the community, and a year later, he captained Twente to their first Dutch Cup in over two decades—a moment of great joy amidst sorrow.
These experiences shaped Ten Hag’s character, developing his empathy, resilience, and leadership. Now, as Manchester United manager, he reflects on the profound influence FC Twente had on his life, both personally and professionally.
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