“Ten Hag told us: we are going to give a present…

FC Twente won the battle for the KNVB Cup in 2001 by beating PSV after a nerve-racking penalty shootout and Sjaak Polak praises Erik ten Hag’s contribution. The current Ajax coach, who will leave for Manchester United after this season, put things on edge beforehand.

“Everyone looked at each other: what is happening here now? He didn’t start screaming, but he told us: today we are going to give a present to Enschede and the people from Enschede. That was the most important thing,” he recalled in conversation with The Mirror. “He stood up and said to everyone: we have to give something back to the people. Enjoy the match, fight for each other and bring the cup back to Enschede!Polak said.

“In the dressing room he said: I am so proud of you all! It was an unforgettable day and he proved one hundred percent that he was the leader of the team,” he continues enthusiastically. “He could get angry sometimes and then you would hear him, you know. But he wasn’t one to start screaming. He’s a good guy with personality and respect: that’s the most important thing in football,” Polak concludes about the successful coach.