AFC Ajax - Holland's Finest

Frank De Boer has this morning been sacked by AFC Ajax, on request. The Dutchman had been in charge at the Amsterdam ArenA since 2010, and the 43-year-old, who spent a large amount of his playing career with Ajax, has told Eurosport that he is "deeply saddened" to be leaving a club who have done so much for his career. With Ajax no longer the force they were in European football, let's take a look back at the last few years for the 'fallen giants'.


Following De Boer's arrival at the club back in 2010, Ajax were stuck in the middle of a title drought, having failed to be crowned Eredivisie champions for seven long years. De Boer came into the club - his first senior management role - and won the title in his first year. Then, two consecutive titles for Ajax saw them take their place as one of Holland's best football clubs.



It is a puzzle as to why De Boer was sacked, in this case. A club legend, both as a manager and as a player, it seems very surprising that De Boer would leave. But, details release earlier this afternoon tell us that Frank's family were hoping of a move away from Amsterdam, and, Frank was happy to go along with their wishes. Their Amsterdam house has been put up for sale, and the De Boer's are reportedly looking at property in Scandinavia. Could we be seeing Frank back in management soon?



The big question on everyone's mind - who will replace De Boer? Any manager could come in and do a good job like Frank did, but I think what many of the fans are craving, is some good runs in European competitions to put their club back on the radar.

great start mate, be interesting to see who you bring in

Following Frank De Boer's departure earlier in the week, the Ajax board have acted quickly in hiring his replacement. Hennie Henrichs has hired a blast from Ajax's past in Dutchman Frank Riijkaard. The 51 year old had two spells at the Amsterdam ArenA, and has also had some good spells as a manager - perhaps most notably his five year stay with Barcelona. Riijkaard has never managed Ajax, despite his status among the fans, so this will be new territory for the former Holland international.


Riijkaard is more accustomed to an Ajax side who dominate in Europe, so this will likely be a disappointing return for him, with his new side having lost their giants status in Europe.
Henrichs is reportedly offering a substantial budget to his new employee, thought to be over the £10,000,000 mark. With reported interest from several teams in Ajax's Danish midfielder Viktor Fischer, that could soon be boosted further, and Ajax are being tipped by many to win the league yet again.

Good luck!

Good start mate, keep the updates comin !

Good luck

Good luck mate! I love Ajax, hope you can go far with this!

Good luck man !

Is de Boer going to join Hull?

Héctor Canteros joins Ajax from Argentinian side Vélez

Ajax manager Frank Riijkaard has announced the signing of Argentinian midfielder, Héctor Canteros, from Argentine Primera División side Vélez Sarsfield, for a fee of £3.5 million. The 24-year-old, capped twice by Argentina, spent last season on loan at El Madrigal, playing twelve league games in all for Villarreal, and helping them to promotion to Spain's top division, scoring twice in the process.


Canteros has spoken to Sky Sports about his delight at being able to work with Spanish speaking players at the club, most notably Danish midfielder Christian Poulsen, who Canteros mentioned when speaking to our reporters. The players' agent, Eduardo Sanchez, also noted that this was one of the key reasons for the deal going through. The Buenos Aires born midfielder is thought to be earning a wage of around £17,000 per week.

"I am sad to be leaving Vélez, after all they have done for me, my family, and my career, but I must admit I had been looking for a move to a European team for a long time. With the upcoming World Cup, I feel it imperative that I move to get myself noticed in what was once one of the greatest leagues in the world. Sadly, it is no longer the case, but I hope that I can be a part of restoring Ajax's status as a competitive force in the UEFA Champions League, and I do not care how long that takes."

Urby Emanuelson makes Ajax return

Dutch winger Urby Emanuelson has signed for Eredivisie side Ajax, just three years after leaving for A.C. Milan. He met with his new manager late last night to discuss contract terms, and the deal was completed with ease, according to the 27-year-old's agent. It is thought that Emanuelson, alongside Héctor Canteros who joined Ajax earlier in the week, will be available for the sides' friendly match against Santa Clara tomorrow.


Emanuelson started his footballing career with Ajax, having developed through their impressive youth system. He had started his playing career at the age of eight, and made his senior debut in 2005. He has won sixteen caps for his country, but the winger, whose contract with Milan would have expired in the summer, was not used all too often by Massimiliano Allegri, and was ultimately pushed out of the club by new boss Clarence Seedorf.


He is seen by many Ajax fans as one of the clubs' recent legends, but they refuse to compare him to any of the players seen during Ajax's reign of European dominance. He did get plenty of chances at San Siro, but was not offered a new contract by Seedorf, who has cover for Emanuelson's role. The fee that Ajax have paid to recapture their former man is £2.5 million, £300,000 more than they sold him for. He was loaned to Barclays Premier League side Fulham last season, where he managed to make 13 appearances for the London-based club.

Already raiding Argentina Adam?

27.7.13. Frank Riijkaard was given his first chance to bring glory to his old team, as his Ajax side came up against AZ Alkmaar in the Johan Cruijff Schaal, the traditional curtain-raiser for the Eredivisie. Ajax sacked Frank De Boer only a few weeks ago, so Riijkaard can really prove something to the fans here, should his side get the victory. Ajax are the favourites here, and also have a home advantage, as the competition has been held at the Amsterdam ArenA since 1996. The tournament sees the winners of last seasons' Eredivisie (Ajax) and last seasons' KNVB Cup winners (AZ) face off against each other. Ajax have been in this competition for the past three seasons, but have not won since 2007, something Riijkaard will surely be looking to change.


Amsterdam ArenA, as always, is the venue for tonight's game, so as the last few fans take their seats around the stadium, let me introduce you to the BT Sport pundits that sit along side me, Jake Humphreys, for the spectacle that is soon to get underway. Patrick Kluivert, formerly of Ajax and Barcelona, and currently the assistant manager of the Dutch national side. Patrick, how does it make you feel to see Frank back at the club, as I understand you spent a season or two with the man during your career with Ajax, and also had a spell under his management at Barcelona?


Thanks Jake. Frank is a great guy with a proven track record - two Liga BBVA titles and a UEFA Champions League win to his name. He is a great tactician, and I hope we see that come through here tonight. The players will have a great time while Frank is here, as he is so approachable. I remember one time whilst playing at Ajax, when I had just started my career, I went up to him and asked for some advice about my playing style. He spent hours working with me to improve my physique. He's already brought in some great signings, like Urby Emanuelson, who I remember from my time at Ajax, although he was very young when I started out. I am really hoping that he turns the club back into what they once were, and I believe in his ability to do so.


One man hoping for an AZ win tonight is Jan Kromkamp. Welcome Jan. You had a five year spell with AZ. Whilst you never really came close to a title win with them, it must still have been a fantastic experience for you?


It was. My time with AZ was the best part of my career, and helped me to get noticed by some top sides. I regret moving to Liverpool. Had I stayed at AZ for another year, maybe two, I would have established myself as a top right back, and would have had the ability to take Steve Finnan's spot. However, I respect the club, and they saw sense in selling me. I am a big fan of Frank Riijkaard, but I have to tip AZ for a win, as they are my team, so I can't say anything else really(!)


Well, we are getting nearer and nearer to the big kick-off, so let me hand over to our commentary team of Michael Owen, and Darren Fletcher.


Thanks Jake. Welcome to Amsterdam ArenA. Live coverage of the Johan Cruijff Schaal is about to begin here on BT Sport. Let's take a look at how the two sides line up tonight. Kenneth Vermeer starts in goal for Ajax. He is a fantastic 'keeper, and deserves to be called up to the Holland team more often in my opinion. Daley Blind starts in the left back role, but there is a new face on the bench. BT Sport can reveal that the Ajax manager worked hard last night to complete a deal to bring South African left back, Tsepo Masilela, for a fee of £325,000, on a 3-year deal. Ricardo van Rhijn starts in the right back position, with the centre back pairing of Niklas Moisander and Stefano Denswil. Urby Emanuelson will make his return to the Amsterdam ArenA on the left wing, while Thulani Serero takes the right wing role. Héctor Canteros will start as a lone central midfielder, following his move from Vélez earlier this month, with Siem De Jong sitting just ahead of him as an attacking midfielder. The strikeforce of Bojan and Viktor Fischer may cause problems for the defenders.

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We are running out of time here, so we will try to relay the AZ Alkmaar team to you during the game. The game has kicked off, with AZ starting the match.

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14': AZ HIT THE CROSSBAR: Belgian defender Jan Wuytens stands over a free-kick out wide here. He floats in a cross... or is it a shot? It crashes against the bar and Moisander clears for a throw. Wuytens came very close to opening the scoring there. I'm not entirely sure it was meant to be a shot, but either way, the score remains 0-0.


17': VERMEER SAVE: On loan Chelsea midfielder, Nathan Aké, plays a ball towards Aron Jóhannsson. Young defender Stefano Denswil looks to have it covered, but doesn't even bother to jump for the ball, and Jóhannsson picks it up in the box. He tries to beat Vermeer... but the Dutchman uses his body to make a fantastic save!


26': BOJAN MISS: Thulani Serero runs down the right flank, following a turnover of possession. He plays a fantastic lofted ball to Bojan, who takes a touch to bring the ball into the box. He prepares to shoot.... but fires it past the far post. Very unfortunate, but you have to score those as a striker.


HT - The two sides go in to the half time break level. AZ perhaps the better side so far, but anything can happen in the next 45.


57': ARON JÓHANNSSON GOAL: Roy Beerens swings a corner in towards the penalty spot. Ajax defenders clear it... but only into the path of Jóhannsson! The American blasts it low into the bottom corner to give his side the lead. It was deserved, but Ajax are beginning to dominate possession now.


93': FULL TIME WHISTLE GOES. AZ ALKMAAR ARE CROWNED JOHAN CRUIJFF SCHAAL WINNERS.


Riijkaard must wait for his first opportunity for silverware with his Ajax side, as his team lose out here. It was a great game, and could so easily have fallen in Ajax's favour.

Great update!
Unlucky about losing though.

AFC Ajax have confirmed that they have turned down a bid from French club Olympique de Marseille for their South African winger, Thulani Serero. The bid was thought to be around £3.3 million, which was later pushed up to £4.5 million through negotiation, but Ajax manager Frank Riijkaard was still unsatisfied with the offer, and pushed further. Marcelo Bielsa pulled out of the deal when the Dutchman proposed that highly rated Cameroonian defender, Nicolas N'Koulou. Serero was involved in Ajax's 0-1 loss to AZ Alkmaar in the Johan Cruijff Schaal, giving a good account of himself in the match, and attracting interest from several European clubs.



Riijkaard has since told Dutch media that he was fairly sure Bielsa would not accept the proposition, and only asked for the player to be involved in the deal because he wanted to keep Serero so much, and that this was the only way that Marseille would pull out of the deal.