Graham Potter is currently still the most logical option to become Ajax’s new trainer, says Lentin Goodijk of Football International. The names of Erik ten Hag and Francesco Farioli are also mentioned, but the arrival of those trainers seems more unlikely.
‘At the moment it appears that Potter is the most logical candidate to become Ajax’s new coach. He has everything Ajax is looking for,” says the Ajax watcher. ‘I just don’t have the feeling that it is in the final phase yet. They have to work it out financially, but there are also some other conditions that need to be arranged. It could take some time, but I expect clarity to emerge sometime in the coming weeks.”
Ten Hag also seems to be a serious option for Ajax, but it remains to be seen whether he will come onto the market. After all, he is currently still working at Manchester United and the Amsterdam team does not seem to have the time to wait for choices from the English about Ten Hag’s future. ‘He fits the competencies they are looking for in a head coach. Ajax is really going to focus on game intelligence and being tactically flexible. It is not so much about changing formations every match, but about being able to deal with changes in the opponent. This season this is happening one match after another. Ajax starts a match well, but after fifteen minutes something changes and it collapses.’
“In that respect, Ten Hag would be a very good fit, but it is very questionable whether that will work,” the reporter indicates. ‘He has a continuing contract with Manchester United and is enjoying himself there. He basically doesn’t want to leave. There is also an FA Cup final coming up and that will take some time. I very much wonder whether this will provide clarity about his future. Ajax actually wants to have clarity about the future quickly.’
Philippe Sandler
While Ajax is looking for the suitable trainer, they are also looking at the player selection for next season. Philippe Sandler is on the list and was recently watched by Ajax during NEC – AZ, Goodijk knows. ‘He is one of the options to supplement the selection at the center back, if a good price can be found for it. Sandler has a continuing contract with NEC and they have an option to extend for another year. So they can quite well ask for a transfer fee for him.’
Moreover, there is still uncertainty at Ajax about the financial possibilities during the summer transfer period. ‘At Ajax it is still quite unclear how much they can spend, because something will have to come in first before you can start throwing around millions. So I don’t expect anything to happen very soon. He does fall into the age category in which Ajax would really like to attract players.’
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