For soccer lovers, watching Ajax dazzle on the worldwide stage soothes the soul.
At a time when the world sport has been taken over by the mega wealthy, Ajax symbolize soccer’s pure and superb previous.
Ajax’s most well-known title – Johan Cruyff – made the membership what it’s, imposing the fashion that will grow to be so profitable for years, serving to the Dutch giants to win the Champions League in 1995.
That DNA continues to movement by way of the veins of gamers and workers – Cruyff’s unforgettable legacy not misplaced on these in Amsterdam, the place Erik ten Hag’s history-makers have dazzled within the Eredivisie and Champions League in 2021-22.
Persevering with to remain true to Cruyff’s values 5 years after his dying, Ajax have swept all earlier than them in Europe this season.
Ajax turned the primary Dutch crew to win all six of their video games in a single Champions League group-stage marketing campaign, whereas additionally they celebrated six successive victories within the European Cup/Champions League for the primary time of their illustrious historical past.
“I feel he can be happy with the extent of soccer and sort of soccer Erik ten Hag is enjoying with the crew,” Ajax CEO Edwin van der Sar – who was a part of that triumphant 1995 crew – advised Stats Carry out.
A world-renowned philosophy, the style by which Ajax groups are constructed stays largely within the picture of their favorite son. Cruyff’s affect on the membership’s academy continues to be so ingrained.
In any case these years, Ajax nonetheless appear so fortunately married to the romantic notions of how the sport must be performed because of Cruyff, however is there a must adapt or modify in terms of being trustworthy to his masterplan?
“Soccer adapts and evolves on a regular basis,” Van der Sar stated. “I obtained a name from Johan Cruyff 10 years in the past after I was nonetheless enjoying at Manchester United. He needed to have gamers into the board of administrators. He requested me the query if I used to be open to that. I had to consider it and communicate to some guys like former United CEO David Gill – what it includes and so on. I took up the job in 2012.
“After all the philosophy of the membership is sort of comparable. We modified some issues within the youth setup and ensuring to deliver Ajax again to European degree. Not shopping for gamers for giant cash and never delivering. We needed to refocus on bringing our gamers into the crew. 4 or 5 years in the past, we took a brand new step with the reserves we had, the scouting division. Plenty of issues are linked with Cruyff.”
Whereas not round to witness Ajax’s reclamation, Cruyff would approve of Ten Hag and his males.
Possession and urgent have been paramount below Ten Hag’s watchful eye since he moved to Amsterdam in 2017 and, heading right into a Champions League last-16 date with Benfica, Ajax prepared the ground this time period for photographs after excessive turnover (16) and passes allowed per defensive motion (PPDA – 7.9).
Title-holders Chelsea, in the meantime, are the one crew to have managed extra excessive turnovers and possession gained within the remaining third than Dutch champions Ajax.
It’s a comparable story within the Eredivisie, with Ten Hag’s males – a degree behind leaders PSV – main the best way for top turnovers (210), possession gained within the remaining third (126) and PPDA (8.9). De Godenzonen have scored a whopping 49 targets in 16 video games, whereas conceding solely 4.
“It’s at all times a problem being a good, huge membership from a small nation to make an affect within the soccer world,” stated former Ajax, Juventus, Manchester United and Netherlands goalkeeper Van der Sar stated. “We’ve completed that over a number of many years of soccer. To the extent we’re enjoying in the meanwhile, within the Champions League enjoying six and successful six. It’s nice encouragement for the coach and praise for the gamers and the best way they’re enjoying. It’s implausible to be the director of Ajax.”
Ten Hag guided Ajax to a exceptional Champions League semi-final in 2018-19 earlier than that crew was dismantled – Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt had been lured away by Barcelona and Juventus respectively. Hakim Ziyech made the transfer to Chelsea, whereas Donny van de Beek finally joined United final yr.
However the extremely rated Dutchman and two-time Eredivisie winner is main a brand new mini-era of success with a mixture of youth and expertise – spearheaded by the likes of Dusan Tadic, Daley Blind, Antony and Sebastien Haller, who this time period turned the quickest participant to succeed in 10 targets in a Champions League profession, eclipsing Erling Haaland.
Haller additionally turned the primary participant to attain in every of his opening six video games within the competitors, whereas the previous West Ham ahead is barely the second Ajax participant to attain 10-plus targets in a single season of the premier membership competitors following Soren Lerby in 1979-80.
“It’s implausible if you happen to say the 18-19 crew – De Ligt or De Jong they left us after the yr – and if you happen to see now, we’ve Ryan Gravenberch in midfield and Jurrien Timber, each coming from our academy and slotting into these locations that these two big-name gamers, changing them and reaching an identical degree,” added Van der Sar. “In comparison with the expertise of Dusan Tadic, Daley Blind and Antony coming in as a younger Brazilian striker. The crew is gelling fantastically collectively however after all we all know within the final 16, quarter-finals, there are large groups developing. We’re assured.”
Van der Sar additionally underlined the membership’s religion within the subsequent era.
He stated: “Selling youth is in our DNA. We’ll at all times do this. That mixture – 4 or 5 years in the past we modified the strategy a little bit bit to ensure if we need to compete or be within the Champions League, you additionally should have skilled gamers. The need and mentality, so in that means we modified the strategy a bit. We mix it with the younger gamers right here who’re getting alternatives to make their first steps on the worldwide podium. That strategy works fantastically for us.”
Ten Hag’s exploits haven’t gone unnoticed amid rising hyperlinks to Premier League giants United, who’re on the hunt for a brand new long-term supervisor following the interim appointment of Ralf Rangnick till the tip of the season.
Since Ten Hag was named coach 4 years in the past, Ajax this time period boast their greatest figures by way of excessive turnovers (13.0) and possession gained in remaining third (8.0) throughout all competitions, highlighting their continued enchancment on the 51-year-old’s watch.
“You see it additionally with gamers, typically they assume they’re completed at Ajax and need to take the following step,” Van der Sar stated when discussing Ten Hag’s future and whether or not the surroundings was key to his subsequent membership. “I’ve seen it myself after I went from Ajax to Juventus – it wasn’t a pure match. The extent of soccer, the household, the expectations, it may be tough overseas.
“However somebody with the standard of Erik and the best way he lets Ajax play and tick for the final 4 years, it’s apparent there’s a variety of curiosity in him. He’s named among the many huge golf equipment in Europe. Finally he’ll take the following step, however we are going to attempt to delay it so long as attainable however after all, at a sure level it’s as much as him. However we’ve to problem him and ensure he possibly sees will there be a subsequent degree – can we be even higher? That’s what we’re working arduous for to ensure the gamers are staying, the scouting brings new skills and the construction round him are prepared for a profitable interval.”
Recalling Ten Hag’s arrival, Van der Sar added: “I bear in mind talking with him at Marc Overmars’ home. Marc lives within the east of Holland, not as huge as Australia however for Holland, it’s nonetheless a drive. Got here very effectively ready. Knew what to anticipate. Talked about philosophies and issues that wanted to alter. Taking the following step, placing the bar even increased each time. The final 4 years, yearly he has taken the bar increased and better.
“You additionally want the organisation to provide you with that and that’s been offered – the scouting, youth arrange, industrial guys and media guys. Not solely on the pitch we need to play within the Champions League, additionally the workplace. I dwell in two worlds – the coaching floor and the workplace I’m trying to the stadium. In each worlds, we need to play Champions League soccer. Being on the highest degree.”
Rio Ferdinand has been vocal beforehand relating to participant signings and managerial appointments at Outdated Trafford. So, has Van der Sar been approached by his former team-mate in terms of Ten Hag?
“Rio is sort of vocal on his personal media channels and the DMs [direct messages],” stated the 51-year-old. “He is a good character and implausible participant, and pundit and enterprise additionally. I respect him so much. I texted him cease hassling me about gamers, coaches and administrators to come back over to England [smiling].”
The return of membership legends Van der Sar and Marc Overmars, as CEO and director soccer respectively, have been key in sustaining Ajax’s legacy and place amongst Europe’s elite, regardless of contrasting budgets.
Van der Sar gained 4 Eredivisie titles, the Champions League, UEFA Cup and UEFA Tremendous Cup amongst his 14 honours at Ajax within the Nineties earlier than leaving in 1999, whereas former team-mate Overmars was additionally a part of that conquering European outfit 26 years in the past.
Now, the Dutch duo are embracing their Ajax roles off the pitch.
“We’ve had success and the cash we’ve earned in our profession, however it began right here at Ajax. We’re blissful to provide one thing again to the membership that gave us our first alternative and a variety of issues,” Van der Sar stated, having returned to the membership in 2012 as advertising director earlier than turning into CEO 4 years later.
The pair’s work has not gone unnoticed. Overmars – who first turned the director of soccer in 2012 – was wanted by Newcastle United earlier than re-signing per week in the past.
Van der Sar’s future is now within the highlight, linked with a return to Manchester United, the place he loved Premier League and Champions League success between 2005 and 2011.
Nonetheless, Van der Sar is in no rush to go away his beloved Ajax.
“The final sentence was one – as soon as your work at Ajax is finished,” Van der Sar replied when requested if he had a need and curiosity to make his again option to United as soon as his work with Ajax was completed. “I feel Marc and myself are having fun with it very a lot right here at Ajax. The liberty and rewards, the extent of the membership continues to be rising. That brings pleasure to your self and offers you a variety of confidence. We’re straightforward in that means.
“For the second I’m actually blissful in Amsterdam. I feel we’re not prepared but. We will make a step increased and that’s one thing we’re aiming for. To be actually, actually profitable on the pitch. It’s not straightforward, however we’re going [to give it a] go.”
Van der Sar and Overmars have established a profitable construction at Ajax and it’s one thing United are believed to be ready to reflect by bringing of their former goalkeeper as Ed Woodward prepares to vacate his function as CEO.
Having not gained the Premier League since 2013, United – up till this level – have been reluctant to nominate a director of soccer.
That reluctance and lack of a transparent and unified imaginative and prescient in Manchester has seen the fashion of play and philosophy chop and alter – David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have come and gone, and with them, the necessity for the membership to consistently tailor to the wants of the following supervisor.
Ajax alternatively, their philosophy stays the identical and it’ll proceed to be the case with Ten Hag and past.
“That is without doubt one of the issues we modified 10 years in the past that the construction is nice for the membership,” Van der Sar stated. “There’s expertise and high quality, there’s a need to carry out on the highest degree after which the coach or possibly with assistant coach, one-two individuals should match into our system on the membership. That’s utterly totally different in England. In case you get a brand new supervisor, seven, eight, 9, 10 folks, video, scouting, information, physios, medical doctors and the whole lot.
“I don’t assume that’s the proper strategy. I need to ensure that the center of the membership and the data of the membership is there, that we all know concerning the younger gamers coming by way of, they know the younger gamers want to regulate, what sort of periods and coaching they want after which they’re able to be within the first crew. That’s why the assistant coaches are the blokes who’ve been on the membership – Michael Reizeger, Winston Bogarde, Richard Witschge, John Heitinga being the coach of the second crew. We’d like that have to ensure and conscious to the coach that these gamers are coming by way of. That we don’t have to purchase a participant, give this man an opportunity and he’ll carry out for you.”
Whereas widespread within the Netherlands, Germany and Italy, the director of soccer mannequin is a subject that generates debate, notably in England. Is it extra useful than obstructive for a coach in soccer?
“A coach is essential for the crew,” stated 130-time Netherlands worldwide Van der Sar. “He has a short-term future and for Marc and myself, we’ve to assume long run about what’s good for the membership. However yeah, it may be tough, tough a part of dialog with coach and director soccer.
“However I feel at Ajax, we discover a super resolution in the meanwhile. Marc and Erik have a implausible working relationship collectively. Let’s see what the long run brings us for the membership. First concentrate on the league after which stay up for the Champions League video games in March. Hopefully an amazing crew comes right here to Amsterdam and hopefully we are able to entertain followers internationally.”