Erik ten Hag could now manage ‘super’ Wolves player who he once almost signed for Man United
Erik ten Hag has emerged as a potential candidate for the Wolves managerial role.
Wolves sacked Vitor Pereira on Sunday (November 2) following their shambolic 3-0 defeat to Fulham in the Premier League.
Their eighth defeat in 10 matches left the Old Gold rooted to bottom of the table and six points adrift of safety.
In their pursuit of Pereira’s successor, Wolves supporters are shocked that Gary O’Neil could return to Molineux after being dismissed by the club in December 2024.
But whilst O’Neil has emerged as the favourite for the Wolves job, former Manchester United manager Ten Hag is an option the Wanderers hierarchy are exploring.
Wolves exploring Erik ten Hag as option to replace Vitor Pereira
As reported by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Ten Hag is among the candidates being considered for the Wolves job, along with O’Neil, Michael Carrick and Rob Edwards.
🚨 Wolves advancing in talks with Gary O’Neil + exploring other options in parallel – including Erik ten Hag. 55yo discussed internally & #WWFC expressed interest in speaking to ex-#MUFC boss as part of process. No imminent decision expected @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/VayTs8W87T
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) November 3, 2025
Bayer Leverkusen sacked Ten Hag in September after just three games in charge, and that was his first role since being dismissed by Man United in October 2024.
The Dutchman was at Old Trafford for almost two-and-a-half years, guiding them to the League Cup in 2022 and the FA Cup in 2023, while overseeing a disappointing eighth-place finish in the same campaign.
The Athletic have also said that Ten Hag has been ‘discussed internally’, and in the meantime, under-21 head coach James Collins and under-18 head coach Richard Walker will lead the first team while the club ‘finalise the appointment’ of a new head coach.
Should Wolves choose the 55-year-old ahead of O’Neil and the other candidates, he will need to pull off miracles to keep them in the Premier League, but one player could benefit from his appointment.
Ten Hag wanted to sign Joao Gomes at Man United
Wolves fans are desperate to see the best of Joao Gomes in 2025/26, after watching him become one of the league’s best ball winners last term.
Gomes saw his form decline under Pereira, who was criticised for chopping and changing his team and for making bizarre selection calls.
Ironically, Wolves managerial candidate Ten Hag wanted to sign Gomes for Man United in the summer of 2022.
According to Coluna do Fla – as relayed by Sport Witness – United were willing to spend £32million on the Brazilian.
A move never materialised in that instance, with the 24-year-old choosing to join the Old Gold in January 2023 for just £15m.
Encouragingly for Ten Hag, he could now get the opportunity to work with Gomes – who was dubbed ‘super’ by O’Neil – after almost signing him three years ago.