Menno Geelen, general manager of Ajax in the coming months | Football

The 42-year-old Geelen was already active at Ajax as commercial director. He has been working at the Eredivisie club since 2010. The intention is for Geelen to return to his old position after his period as ad interim.

Due to the appointment of Geelen, Chairman of the Supervisory Board Michael van Praag can once again fully focus on his role as member and chairman of the Supervisory Board (SB) and no longer has to assist the management as a delegated supervisory director. He did that since April 2.

Van Praag is pleased that Geelen wants to fill the position of general director temporarily. “He is an excellent director, who has support both internally and externally and has achieved this himself through the good and successful way in which he has been doing his work for Ajax for years,” said Van Praag.

“It is also good for Ajax that Alex has started working in his new role full of energy. We have a lot of confidence in the management team that is now in place for the months ahead.”

Geelen, whose current position will be taken over by head of marketing Cas Biesta, is looking forward to temporarily taking on the role of general manager. “Organizationally we are in order for the coming period and we are creating the administrative peace that is needed,” says Geelen.

“The progress of the work in football now has the highest priority. Alex Kroes and Marijn Beuker, together with the people around them, must be able to continue fully. My task is, among other things, to ensure that they can focus on this and at the same time all other departments and colleagues can also function optimally.”

Ajax is also looking for a successor for outgoing coach John van ‘t Schip for next season. Earlier in the day it became clear that the intended coach Graham Potter will not work in Amsterdam.