Ron Jans has been approached once in the past by a Dutch top club. It’s about either Ajax or Feyenoord. The current coach of FC Utrecht disagrees Football International know that Ajax or Feyenoord – both of which are looking for a new head coach – do not have to make a call now.
Just like Ajax, FC Utrecht also had a dramatic start to the season. Since Ron Jans took office, the club from the cathedral city has found its way up and is currently involved in a battle for fifth place with Ajax. The gap between the two clubs is currently three points in Ajax’s favor with three matches still to play.
‘It’s Ajax or Feyenoord, one of the two’
Jans previously coached FC Groningen, PEC Zwolle and FC Twente in the Netherlands, so a top club in his own country could be the next step. Yet 65-year-old Jans doesn’t like that. “I was asked once, but nothing more,” he says. ‘Then I was at FC Groningen, it must have been sometime in 2008 or 2009.’
The FC Utrecht coach does not want to reveal which club it concerns. ‘It’s Ajax or Feyenoord, one of the two. Does not matter. I was asked once and then I never heard anything again,” says Jans, who nevertheless looks back on a great coaching career. ‘But I look back on my career with great pleasure. Not with the idea: something is missing.’
Ajax and Feyenoord are looking for a new trainer
Ajax and Feyenoord are currently looking for a trainer. For example, John van ‘t Schip is the interim coach at Ajax until the end of this season and will take on a different role in the coming season. Arne Slot will leave Feyenoord after this season. He will start working for Liverpool.
Jans is therefore regularly linked to being a trainer at Ajax or Feyenoord. “A token of appreciation,” says Jans, who will not be switching. ‘But I am now at Utrecht, and I am not leaving there either. So no one has to call. I still have a year and a half of contract and I will at least serve that. I’m having a great time here.’
Ajax has also been frequently linked to a foreign trainer lately. For example, Graham Potter (clubless) and Francesco Farioli (OGC Nice) are currently mentioned. In the coming period it will become clear which trainer Ajax will work with for the new season.
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