Erik Ten Hag Emerges As Top Contender For Ajax Role Following Farioli's Departure

Add as a preferred source on Google

Ajax is considering Erik ten Hag as a potential candidate to return as their manager after Francesco Farioli's resignation. This was confirmed by technical director Alex Kroes. Farioli stepped down after just one season, following Ajax's failure to secure the Eredivisie title, which went to PSV. Despite winning their last match against Twente 2-0, PSV's victory over Sparta Rotterdam ensured they retained the championship.

Farioli's team had been leading the title race comfortably until mid-April. They were nine points ahead of PSV with five matches left. However, significant losses to Utrecht and NEC Nijmegen, along with a draw against Groningen, where they conceded a late equaliser, led to their downfall. No team in Europe's top six leagues had previously lost such a lead with only five games remaining.

Paul Simonis, currently managing Go Ahead Eagles, and Michael Reiziger, the Netherlands Under-21 coach, are also being considered for the role. However, Kroes has not dismissed the possibility of Ten Hag returning. "Erik ten Hag has been on the list for a long time," Kroes told Dutch television station NOS. "He is well-known; he did a fantastic job when he was here."

Ten Hag was present at the Arena as a spectator during Ajax's last game of the season. Before joining Manchester United in 2022, Ten Hag had an impressive tenure at Ajax. He led them to three Eredivisie titles in four seasons and won the KNVB Cup twice.

During his time at Ajax, Ten Hag won 78% of his Eredivisie matches (112 out of 143). Only Stefan Kovacs boasts a better record with an 88% win rate (60 out of 68). Ten Hag's team averaged nearly three goals per league game under his management.

Kurt Linder holds the best record with an average of 3.28 goals per game, followed by Kovacs with 3.03 goals per game. Johan Cruyff and Marcel Keizer both achieved an average of three goals per game during their respective tenures.

Kroes Reflects on Farioli's Departure

Kroes shared insights into Farioli's decision to resign: "Francesco texted me from the bus that evening, saying, 'let's sit down together tomorrow'. Then he said that he had serious doubts about whether he should continue." This conversation highlighted Farioli's uncertainty about his future at Ajax.

The search for a new manager continues as Ajax aims to rebuild and reclaim their position at the top of Dutch football. The club is keen on finding someone who can replicate or surpass Ten Hag’s success during his previous stint.