'The Boss': Marco van Basten

[Neefkens]

Nope.

Coronel became chairman on 18 april 2008. The news of van Basten becoming the new AJAX-trainer was on 22 februari 2008. The actual presentation was on 5 march.

[bryan]

I stand corrected.

The Coronel Report came out five days before Van Basten was appointed. But I guess they had already signed him up by then.

[Neefkens]

A report has nothing to do with who's in charge. Jaakke was in charge then, Coronel 2 months later. So if someone is to "blame" it's Jaakke.

[Mr_Holte]

My first post on this. First of all, it's a shame it never worked out for MVB, like everyone else I really wanted him to succeed. A nice bloke, but perhaps to nice to ever be a top manager.

I would say NO WAY to Mcclown. Awful manager.

One name that hasn't been mentioned. Avram Grant.
Maybe not the most energetic of managers, but if you stop reading all the media rubbish, he was very unlucky at Chelsea. A penalty kick away from winning the Champions League, and he did great to almost catch Man United in the league.

He is also Joden!

Would he come to Ajax? Maybe...

[Cedric]

I wonder how an awful manager can finish #2 in Eredivisie with the 6th budget and can be in the final of the Dutch cup. That Twente was one of the best Dutch club in Europe this season (if not the best), is also a miracle I guess.

[Philippe]

..... Twente was one of the best Dutch club in Europe this season (if not the best), is also a miracle I guess.

There was another Dutch club which did even better in Europe, thanks to their miracle-man coach. They are called Ajax.

[Cedric]

Really? I didn't know that...

But as far as I know Twente was the best Dutch team against Marseille and their elimination was a bit more unlucky than conceding a goal of the great Tyrone Mears...
Ajax did better because they played one round more, but that doesn't necessary mean they were more impressive than Twente.

[Mr_Holte]

As somebody else has said, at Twente there is very little pressure on him. It was similar to when he was at Middlesborough.
At England it was totally different and if he was to become Ajax manager, again the job would be to big for him in my opinion.
Im not arguing with the job he has done at Twente, but let's not forget that the foundations were already in place before he became manager.

[Cedric]

You're absolutely right but being unable to handle the pressure doesn't make him an awful manager. That's just my point.
Well, let's see what he brings today...

[rjf1]

One name that hasn't been mentioned. Avram Grant...

If Louis goes to Bayern -- as all the rumors say he is -- then we are going to be in competition with AZ for a top-flight manager. Based on his record in Israel, and the way he turned Chelsea around following the Mourinho soap opera, Grant might be just the thing to get the wheels back on the Ajax wagon.
At the very least, (if it can't be Louis), I would like to see a fresh face for the job -- not to bring in someone from the past.

[bryan]

Grant turned Chelsea around?!

Didn't they just plod along under him?

[ajaxusa]

Guardian:

Frank Rijkaard favourite to succeed Marco van Basten at Ajax

[Orange14]

Grant turned Chelsea around?!

Didn't they just plod along under him?

Absolutely and Grant was quickly sent packing. His idea of a great match was a 1-0 win. I don't think he is the kind of manage we need.

[bryan]

Yeah, Mourinho won trophies and his successors have not.

Some turnaround.

[DanK]

Guardian:

Frank Rijkaard favourite to succeed Marco van Basten at Ajax

I still worry about a Rijkaard appointment, but if he does become boss, I am more than happy for him to prove any of my cynicism wrong.

[Kowalczyk]

Alright, I'm closing this one down.

Van Basten talk? Here!

Successor talk? Here!

K.