Ajax’s Tumultuous 2024: From Crisis to Calm
ajax’s 2024 journey was a rollercoaster ride,marked by unexpected twists and turns. While the Amsterdam club ultimately experienced a sporting resurgence,the path was anything but smooth.One of the most shocking events of the year was the suspension of newly appointed general manager Alex Kroes in April. This unexpected move, orchestrated by Supervisory Board chairman Michael van Praag, stemmed from Kroes’ purchase of Ajax shares shortly before his appointment, raising concerns about insider trading.
As Sjoerd Mossou,reflecting on the year in the AD Football podcast,aptly put it,”It was one of the craziest stories of the year,wasn’t it?” The situation was resolved internally by reassigning Kroes as technical director,a decision that now seems like a distant memory given Kroes’ subsequent success in his new role.
The Kroes saga was just one chapter in a tumultuous period for Ajax. As Mossou recalls, “Ther was a whole history of total chaos: Sven Mislintat’s departure, the team’s last-place standing, the humiliating 6-0 defeat against Feyenoord. One low point followed another. The arrival of Alex Kroes was seen as the beacon of hope, the great savior who would turn things around.”
Johan Inan, an Ajax watcher for the Algemeen Dagblad, closely followed the unfolding drama.He was particularly struck by Van Praag’s forceful demeanor during a press conference. “I will never forget that we were sitting around Van Praag with the writing press in the Ajax press room. he raged at Kroes, I was knocked back! While it’s understandable to want to hold someone accountable for a mistake, Van Praag’s approach could have been more measured,” Inan remarked.
Inan believes Van Praag misjudged the level of support Kroes enjoyed. “He claimed sponsors would withdraw if Kroes remained, and that there was no other option. but they found another solution, and no sponsors left. Van Praag underestimated the backing Kroes had.”
Today, a sense of calm has returned to Ajax’s administrative ranks. Kroes now faces the challenge of bolstering head coach Francesco Farioli’s squad during the winter break, a task complicated by the club’s precarious financial situation.
As Inan explains, “kroes is aware that Ajax cannot afford any major signings in January. Farioli also understands that if a lucrative offer arrives for a player, ajax might be forced to reconsider its stance.” Devyne Rensch, whose contract expires soon, is a prime candidate for a potential January departure.
Navigating the Storm: A Conversation with Marco van Basten
Ajax’s tumultuous 2024 has been the talk of Dutch football, with enough drama to rival a primetime soap opera. From the suspended general manager to a humiliating defeat at the hands of Feyenoord, the Amsterdam club has experienced a whirlwind of highs and lows.
To unpack this rollercoaster year, we sat down with former Ajax and Netherlands icon Marco van Basten, who offers his unique viewpoint on the events that unfolded.
Moderator: Marco, thank you for joining us. 2024 has been a wild ride for Ajax.How would you characterize the club’s state of affairs throughout this turbulent period?
Marco van Basten: It’s been a real head-scratcher, hasn’t it? Football is no stranger to surprises, but what happened at Ajax this year went beyond the norm.
Moderator: The alex Kroes situation seemed notably baffling. The insider trading allegations, the suspension, and the eventual shift to technical director – it all happened so quickly.
van basten: It was indeed a strange turn of events. When news broke about Kroes’ share purchase, I was genuinely surprised. It raised serious concerns,and Van Praag was right to address it head-on. But I think the way he went about it caused more damage than good. Publicly berating Kroes in the press conference, those comments about sponsorship withdrawals, it felt unnecessarily aggressive.
Moderator: You seem to believe Van Praag miscalculated his approach.
Van Basten: I do. Kroes clearly had a lot of support within Ajax. The fact they found a solution that allowed him to stay, without losing sponsors, shows that Van praag’s initial assessment was off the mark. I think it undermined his authority and created needless tension within the club.
Moderator: Looking ahead, Ajax faces a crucial winter transfer window. Kroes has the task of strengthening the squad, but with limited financial resources. How do you think he should approach this challenge?
Van basten: It’s a delicate balancing act.Ajax needs reinforcements, especially in key positions. But with budget constraints, Kroes needs to be creative.
Loans, free transfers, and promoting promising youngsters from the academy should be priorities.
Moderator: What about the future of devyne Rensch? His contract is expiring soon, and he could be a valuable asset if sold.
Van Basten: Rensch is a talented young player, but Ajax needs to weigh their options carefully.If they receive a significant offer, it might be the sensible decision to cash in, especially considering the financial situation. Though, losing a player of his potential is never ideal.
Moderator: We appreciate your insights, Marco. It mu
st be said that Ajax’s 2024 saga has sparked a lot of conversation among fans. What are your thoughts on the larger implications of this year’s events for Dutch football?
Van Basten: It highlights the pressure that comes with managing a club like Ajax.The expectation of success, the scrutiny from media and fans, it can take its toll. But it also shows the resilience of the club.
Despite the turbulence, Ajax has bounced back and shown they’re still a force to be reckoned with.
Let us know in the comments what you think. How do you believe Ajax can capitalise on this period of newfound calm to build for the future and reclaim their place at the top of Dutch football?
