Ajax have been doing a good job at developing players. They have won the Futures Cup (U-16) the past two years and we are starting to see those players come up (Steur & Bouwman). Dies Janse is on loan to Groningen and starting at left central defense. Verschuren is on loan to Volendam and also starting in defense. Wingers Faberski and van Axel Dongen (may he stay healthy) are also out on loan. The problem is overpaying for rubbish players the way Mislentat did. Ajax have had poor results bringing players in from outside the Dutch League with the exception of Antony, Neres, and Martinez.
Right, I meant "big failure" in the sense that hardly any academy players are getting consistent time in the first team. From the match yesterday, it was really just Baas and maybe Regeer if I'm being charitable (I'm not counting Davy, Godts, or Mokio). It's encouraging that there is some talent in the pipeline - they need to bring those guys back next season and PLAY THEM (and not give up on them if they struggle for a period of time). In the meantime, they need to play the young guys we have now. They can't be any worse than the rubbish players that were brought in! I know people around these parts don't rate Fitz-Jim, but I like him as a player. His deficiencies are mostly physical, not technical. The squad isn't exactly bursting with players who can actually pass the ball forward.
Meet the youngest defensive duo of the Eredivisie Blokzijl (left, 25-02-2005), Janse (right, 17-01-2006). Both getting very good comments.
Heitinga shown the door.... the return of Ten Haag, maybe? I saw this on the web: "the future looks Grim, but not Blind"
Nice one. Apparently Wolves were also after ten Hag. That might one of the few clubs with an even shittier situation than Ajax.
Simonis, who played attractive attacking football with Go Ahead Eagles seems to be on his way out at VfL Wolfsburg.
Carlos Forbs has made a name for himself in Portugal after his masterclass against Barcelona in the Champions League. Because of his good performances, he has been called up for the national team of national coach Roberto Martínez, but that call came as a surprise to Forbs himself. How come he was a nobody for Ajax?
Two goals off of absolutely perfect free kicks and Ajax go down to defeat in Utrecht for the third match in a row. My dreams of an Ajax match without Davy Klaassen seeing a single minute on the pitch were shattered when interim manager Grim subbed him on in the second half. If any game was crying out for a creative player such as Bounida, this was it. Ajax played much better today and were well organized. Several great chances in the first half were squandered but that's what happens when a team is in a fragile state. On any other day, Ajax probably gets a draw. Player Ratings: Pasveer (6) - helpless on the two goals Rosa (5.5) - just a bit above average Sutalo (6.5) - had a good game Baas (6.5) - same as Sutalo Alders (5.5) - if you are small you better be as strong as Roberto Carlos, Alders is not Regeer (6.5) - had one really bad pass but otherwise looked decent Taylor (6.5) - some very good passes setting players free Oscar (6) - I don't think he is worth the money Ajax paid but did dance free to get one shot on goal but scuffed it Edvarsen (6) - put in a strong shift as always Weghorst (6.5) - unlucky to have a nice goal called off Godts (7) - great goal but maybe he should have take a shot instead of passing to Weghorst on what was a good chance in the first half Klaassen (5) - maybe I see things differently, but the team was not nearly as fluid when he came in, he should never play a minute Gaaei (5) - no improvement over Rosa Bounida (NR) - time for a prayer Moro (NR) - same as Bounida, though he did create one moment of danger Dolberg (NR) - same as Bounida and Moro International break coming up and then Excelsior at home followed by Benfica in the Champions League. If Ajax are to hire a new manager right now, they better make sure they get the right one for the job. Grim would be an adequate caretaker to see out the season.
What was Grim expecting to happen with this triple sub in the 88th minute? A miracle? Miracles, as well as sh*t, happens, but the more reasonable way was to make the sub 15-20min. earlier. Clueless coach on top of mediocre players will make us a decent mid-table team. Grim reality.
Absolute madness they waited this long to fire JH and let this last week totally sink any chance in Eredivise and UCL.... We need a direction. I want a permanent manager by the winter break. Cut more dead weight this upcoming window and have an aligned club going forward. They cannot have a caretaker for an extended period. It will only add to the madness.
Nobody wants the dead weight players, just as nobody wanted any of those out on loan right now. The only thing Ajax can do is pay off the contract and wish them well. Do you think anyone will spend a single € on Klaassen, van den Boomen or anyone else? They couldn't even get a decent offer for Kenneth Taylor last summer and Brobby did not leave until close to the end of the transfre window. You could have the greatest technical director in the world at Ajax and he will face this huge problem. Regarding the manager, the only one currently without a club is ten Hag. He had a good run with Ajax but also inherited a much better squad. Right now third place is aspirational and I would not rush to hire someone unless they had an absolute top pedigree. Unfortunately, those managers don't want to come to the Eredivisie.
It’s getting harder to watch this team play, or comment on how bad the players are. Absolutely pathetic.
Here is an interesting article on possible coaches for Ajax: 16 possible coaches for Ajax – Lars Tactics Blog It's in Dutch but you can use the translator of your choice to read it.
13819 Eric ten Hag doesnot see a basis for a successful cooperation, so isnot going to coach Ajax. Wonder if that means that for the longer time frame (= after this season) he learned there's no possibility to enhance the team or that he sees the available money for the next season as insufficient to get a start of rebuilding the team.
ten Hag is just disappointed that Ajax cannot spend as much money as ManU did. This is the problem with all managers, just buy players X, Y, and Z and I will win championships.
Looks Like Kroes is out. Jordi Cruyff and Maxwell are the rumored replacement candidates. What a mess.
Absolutely NOT true. He has been a technical director and a manager and was a sporting advisor at Barca. His last job was the technical director for the Indonesia National team. Whether he wants to enter the Ajax snake pit is unknown, but he is qualified.