werpenu, kde je nyní sportovním ředitelem tamního klubu. A jak se zdá, tamní Ajax funguje na stejném principu jako ten náš před dvěma lety.
„Je to smutné, ale pravdivé. Ajax se ztratil. Ztratil svou identitu, svou strategii, své vedení. Je to jako zlomená rodina, která se rozpadá a nikdo neví, jak to napravit,“ dodává Štěpán.
Je tedy otázkou, jak dlouho bude trvat, než se Ajax z tohoto marasmu dostane. Zatím se zdá, že cesta zpět bude dlouhá a trnitá. Ale fanoušci doufají, že se klub brzy vrátí na správnou cestu a znovu začne dominovat nizozemskému fotbalu.
Title: Ajax Amsterdam: A Historic Club in Crisis
Subtitle: The downfall of a football giant
Date: October 31, 2023
Ajax Amsterdam, one of the most prestigious football clubs in the world, is currently experiencing a severe crisis that has left fans and experts alike bewildered. The club, known for its rich history and successful strategies, has deviated from its century-old approach, leaving many questioning its current direction.
Jiří Štěpán, a commentator specializing in Dutch football for Česká televize, expressed his disbelief, stating, ”Ajax has completely strayed from its century-old strategy. It doesn’t make any sense to me.”
The situation at Ajax has reached a point where their arch-rivals, Feyenoord Rotterdam, have accumulated more points in three Champions League matches than Ajax has managed in eight league games. This is a cause for concern and disappointment for the club and its supporters.
In a recent match against Eindhoven, Ajax suffered a humiliating 2-5 defeat. However, it is worth noting that the guests were not as bad as the scoreline suggests. They took the lead with a fortunate long-range shot and dominated the game for a good twenty minutes. At halftime, Ajax was leading 2-1. But then, everything fell apart.
The club, which has been home to legendary figures such as Michels, Cruijff, van Basten, Bergkamp, Neeskens, Rijkaard, Seedorf, the de Boer brothers, and the entire Blind family, is currently drowning in troubled waters. They find themselves at the bottom of the league table for the first time in history, reflecting the somber mood surrounding the club.
Ajax fans are boiling with anger, staging protests and even causing damage to their own stadium, leading to the premature cancellation of a derby match against Feyenoord. The players lack confidence and are making trivial mistakes in all areas of the game. The coaching staff has also seen changes, with the recent appointment of John van ‘t Schip as the third head coach this season, albeit on a temporary basis until the end of the year.
Furthermore, Ajax’s reserve team is languishing at the bottom of the second division, which adds to the symbolic nature of the club’s current predicament. The young talents, who were once the pride and joy of the club, have lost eight out of twelve matches.
The question remains: why is Ajax in such a dire state?
If the troubles can be attributed to one individual, it would be Marc Overmars. In February 2022, the former lightning-fast winger, skilled manager, visionary, and patriot resigned from his position as sporting director. Overmars played a significant role in transforming Ajax into a formidable force during his ten-year tenure. Under his leadership, the club reached the UEFA Champions League seven times and generated nearly 16 billion Czech koruna through player sales.
However, it was revealed that Overmars had sent inappropriate photos to his colleagues, leading to his resignation and Ajax’s subsequent freefall.
The club’s woes began with their failure to qualify for the Champions League after thirteen consecutive appearances. This was followed by a disastrous summer transfer window, where the new director, Mislintat, spent a fortune on worn-out football goods, resulting in the loss of Ajax’s true identity. Mislintat was subsequently dismissed, leaving the team in disarray.
Meanwhile, Overmars has found success as the director of football at Antwerp, where he has transformed an average team into Belgian champions. While Antwerp looks forward to their next Champions League match, Ajax continues to struggle.
The future of Ajax Amsterdam remains uncertain. The club must find a way to regain its former glory and restore the faith of its disillusioned fans. Only time will tell if they can overcome this crisis and return to their rightful place among football’s elite.
What steps can other football clubs learn from Ajax Amsterdam’s situation in order to prevent losing their core values and vision in the future
End of the season.
The problems at Ajax go beyond just the coaching staff. The club has lost its identity, its strategy, and its leadership. It resembles a broken family that is falling apart, with no clear solution in sight.
It remains to be seen how long it will take for Ajax to recover from this crisis. The road ahead seems long and challenging. However, the fans hold onto hope that the club will find its way back and once again dominate Dutch football.
Ajax Amsterdam’s current predicament is a stark reminder that even the most historic and successful clubs can experience turbulent times. It serves as a lesson for other clubs to prioritize maintaining their core values and vision, as straying away from them can have significant consequences.
It’s sad to see such a great club facing so many challenges. I hope they find a way to overcome this crisis and get back to their winning ways.