Last month, Ten Hag said Xhaka would not be leaving the side amid rumours that the Swiss international wanted a return to the Premier League.
"The agent can say anything. But this club has already lost three important players," Ten Hag said.
"We won't let any more players go, that's not possible. That would neglect the structure and also the culture of the squad.
"It's clear - Granit is a leader, he has signed here for five years and has three years left on his contract. He's too important for us to let him go."
One month later and Xhaka is captaining newly promoted Sunderland in a £17M as he hopes to lead The Black Cats to glory and safety in England’s top division. Reports stated that Ten Hag only made contact with the former Arsenal midfielder three weeks after his appointment, and that their relationship was severed as soon as he arrived.
However, the 32-year-old spoke to Bild about what really happened and how it annoyed the midfielder that so many reports painted the Dutch manager out to be a villain in his move back to England.
"It annoys me that Erik is being portrayed as the problem. He was never the problem, never! He only called me after three or four weeks because he didn't want to disturb me during the holidays.
“I had a very good conversation with him. He knew I was looking at an exciting offer. And maybe he sensed he would lose me. But our conversation was always clear and correct. I would have played as captain under him."
Ten Hag has already seen Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong leave for Liverpool this summer and is currently trying to replace those stars who helped former boss Xabi Alonso lift the title as the season begins this weekend.