The incidents surrounding André Onana and Quincy Promes have ’caused Erik ten Hag’, the Ajax trainer admits in an interview NRC Handelsblad. Onana was suspended for nine months for taking a banned substance, while Promes was suspected of a stabbing incident in his last season at Ajax; he is now actually being prosecuted for attempted manslaughter and aggravated assault.
Ten Hag believes that Ajax ‘has handled both issues well’. A legal team from the club supported Onana during his appeal before the sports tribunal CAS, while Promes remained a full member of the selection despite the suspicion. “I have to admit that it has saddened me. André and Quincy have to accept the consequences, but I would have granted both a greater contribution to Ajax,” says Ten Hag, who further says that the incidents surrounding Onana and Promes were beyond his control.
“You are dealing with people, not with robots. People make mistakes and have imperfections. You try to get ahead of things as a coach, but that doesn’t always work,” says Ten Hag. “Promes’ prosecution does not do the image of the team any good, not to mention blame. And I have to protect the team. The same goes for Onana, although his mistake is of a completely different order. I hope both players have learned from their mistakes and take those lessons with them into their future careers and lives.”
Ten Hag says he does not blame himself. He thinks it is important to care about the personal well-being of his players as a trainer, but does not think he has fallen short anywhere. “No. I’ve known Quincy for some time, he has matured under my eyes. His responsibilities increased, he got a wife and children. Of course I talk to him about all kinds of aspects of life, but in the end he makes his own considerations and choices “, Ten Hag makes clear.