Ajax Directors, Board, Staff

[GangstaRiB]

So what is the bigger picture of the board now?? I am kind of confused!!!!!!

Its pretty complicated (even I don't really understand it..).

You have Ajax NV (the corporation with stocks that you can buy), which has a board of directors: Ten Have, Davids, Cruijff, Olfers and another guy (forgot his name).

Then you have the footballclub Ajax which has its own CEO, CFO etc etc. That used to be: Van den Boog, Coronel, Van der Aat and Slop.

There is a member council that chooses the board of directors (Ten Have, Cruijff etc etc). The board of directors choose the CEO, CFO etc etc of footballclub Ajax.....

So.......

Tonight there is a meeting with the member council. The board of directors just named Louis Van Gaal to be the new CEO of footballclub Ajax..
The member council can decide if they want Van Gaal (so go with the advise of the board), or they can get rid of the board of directors if they don't like the idea of Van Gaal.

The board of directors is sick and tired of Cruijff (yes.. he is also a member of the board) because he is not attending meetings. So now they dropped the bomb. It's either Van Gaal or Cruijff. It's a do or die situation for Ten Have.

The member council consists of a lot of old-players and old-directors. It used to be pro-Cruijff, but it was changing last time... now we will find out.

[SPL]

With LVG as CEO how will this effect Frank de Boer and Bergkamp , will they want to stay with him in charge?

[GangstaRiB]

With LVG as CEO how will this effect Frank de Boer and Bergkamp , will they want to stay with him in charge?

De Boer no doubt. De Boer and Van Gaal go way back when they won everything in 94 - 97.

Bergkamp... I don't know.
Mind you: Ten Have is saying in todays interview that the current situation at De Toekomst (Bergkamp and Jong are in charge now..) is worrisome. That some of the people at De Toekomst are not capable for the job...

[SPL]

I do not know what is going on but the biggest problem at de Toekomst at present appears to be the amount of talent whose contracts are running out or need to be given contracts .

[GangstaRiB]

I do not know what is going on but the biggest problem at de Toekomst at present appears to be the amount of talent whose contracts are running out or need to be given contracts .

True, and because there is no boss at footballclub Ajax, they cannot be extended. So Ten Have is urging to have a temporary CEO (Sturkenboom, ex-KNVB and ex-FC Utrecht). Van Gaal wil take over from Sturkenboom, latest july 2012.

[Orange14]

I do not know what is going on but the biggest problem at de Toekomst at present appears to be the amount of talent whose contracts are running out or need to be given contracts .

True, and because there is no boss at footballclub Ajax, they cannot be extended. So Ten Have is urging to have a temporary CEO (Sturkenboom, ex-KNVB and ex-FC Utrecht). Van Gaal wil take over from Sturkenboom, latest july 2012.

This is the biggest reason not to put up with any more of the Cruyff nonsense. The more that things are delayed, the greater the risk to the club both near and long term. Cruyff either has to move to Amsterdam and put in all the hours that are needed to run the club as he envisions it or just stay in Barcelona and manage his Team Catalonia and just shut up. I, for one, am getting sick of all this nonsense; it's just not good for the club.

[GangstaRiB]

That's right Orange14.

Just give Cruijff a nice seat in de VIP section and never listen to him again.

This is the day that we either say "so long" to Johan, or to Van Gaal.

[Orange14]

That's right Orange14.

Just give Cruijff a nice seat in de VIP section and never listen to him again.

This is the day that we either say "so long" to Johan, or to Van Gaal.

That's pretty much the way I see and I go back to 1977 with this club!

[aveslacker]

It's always the same with Cruijff. He talks big but can never commit to anything. It's the biggest difference between him and Beckenbauer, at least when it comes to life after playing, imo. Cruijff was a better player, but as a coach and administrator, Beckenbauer at least had the courage to stick with his ship and not just try to manage things from a distance.

I remember when Van Gaal said he would never return to Ajax. I felt (and said) at the time that it was untrue and I'm glad I was right.

[Philippe]

I tend to think that all the nice moves at Ajax since FDB's return have to do with JC's advice. I'd rather see Johan stay and in charge.

http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2 ... _to_aj.php

[Manneken Pis]

It's always the same with Cruijff. He talks big but can never commit to anything. It's the biggest difference between him and Beckenbauer, at least when it comes to life after playing, imo. Cruijff was a better player, but as a coach and administrator, Beckenbauer at least had the courage to stick with his ship and not just try to manage things from a distance.

Perhaps, but by those criteria Cruijff was the better husband.

[orange goblin]

The 2 icons HAVE to talk together if they care of this club
Van Gaal can do the general director, with 2 right arms in managers Blind (sport affairs) and Sturkenboom (general affairs), plus the financial and commercial directors in charge Slop and vd.Aat completing the board.
For me that decision cannot necessarily affect Jonk and Bergkamp's job. The 2 Cruijff's men have more a "field" role, monitoring youth development, ajax philosophy and scouting: there's enough work for them!
And Crujff? well,he can provide his ideas whenever he wants, in the role he has chosen: member of RvC. And why not chairman?

[Blind3]

Agree with you Orange Goblin. It's time for all good men , and women if it be the case, to come to the aid of the club. The actors have pledged themselves to Ajax. It is unconscionable to think that they would turn up their noses and walk away like a bunch of primadonnas. I know we're kit sponsored by Adidas , but , in the words of the competition and Adam Sandler : JUST DO IT !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rooie]

[SPL]

Been reading up on all comments today and more people are pro JC than LVG . I look simply at the club so far this season and its a shambles highlighted by the fact no one is in charge of contracts ( yes that point again ) We are struggling in the league and yet again just waiting for the best players to leave ,Vertonghen ,V d Wiel will leave either in the winter or next summer in which case we will get alot less money for them due again to no contract extensions. Eriksen at best has one more year here . We are down to one striker yet one of the top goal scorers in Holland over the last 2or 3 years is not picked and from what I read barely trains.

Now I am no way blaming JC but if this is what Ajax is with him pulling the strings then are we going to be any worse off with LVG ??? At Ajax JC is God ,but the facts to me are this club legend lives in Barcelona and that club appears to be his first love. Not sure how he can run Ajax from Spain.It appears he wants to put his man in charge ie Ling and run things from afar.

I will be interested to hear why Ko thinks LVG will be agood thing for the club.I am a fan of this club but I do not know the politics that are going on . I just want the current shambles that is Ajax to cease and if that means LVG takes over and JC goes then so be it .

[orange goblin]

from what I read, the large majority of youth trainers are with crujiff and defined "unaccettable" the decision of the supervisory board of going for van gaal without even asking JC.
horrible fact is that JC resigns, many youth trainers seem ready to do the same. true or not, this is a real war. no bullshit.

[Orange14]

from what I read, the large majority of youth trainers are with crujiff and defined "unaccettable" the decision of the supervisory board of going for van gaal without even asking JC.
horrible fact is that JC resigns, many youth trainers seem ready to do the same. true or not, this is a real war. no bullshit.

Isn't this because they know he will be an absentee overseer and they won't be supervised on a daily basis which would be the case when LvG comes in? I just don't think you can have somebody only engaged in the management of a modern day football club on a less than part time basis.

[Flipster81]

I'm with Ko on this I'm a massive fan of van Gaal and this is a great appointment, he eats, sleeps and shits Ajax football, he is also FdB's mentor.

He knows what the club prides itself on and he want's to bring it back. Also where FdB is found wanting is sometimes he's too late tactically, van Gaal will help that.

I couldn't care less about the politics and Cruyff's ego, he wanted true Ajacied running the club and van Gaal is one of them. Also, if the youth coaches walk, van Gaal will replace them, he was the one to appoint Co Adriaanse to run it in the 90's.

If you have any doubt's about him as a tactical genius and great thing for the club, just read his book.

http://www.amazon.com/Coaching-Philosop ... 1890946036

[jamie]

No one doubts that Van Gaal is an excellent coach. However his track record as a TD was poor to say the least. He is also credited for destroying the Ajax youth program together with Co Adriaanse when he was coach of Ajax in the early to mid nineties. So appointing van Gaal can have a negative influence on Ajax and especially its youth program. You should read up on how van Gaal changed the youth program and why many people consider that this is the reason why considerably fewer great players have since graduated from the Ajax youth program.

By the way, I am a big fan of both Van Gaal and Cruijff. They have both played a very important role in the history of Ajax. However being an "Algemeen" director required a totally different skill set and experience then what van Gaal brings to the table. Does he for example have any real business experience? No!

And another issue I have with all of this is the fact that now Blind will become our TD. He has failed at that before so it makes no sense at all that the board of directors (without Cruijff) has appointed him to this position. What the hell do they know about football related appointments.

[orange goblin]

I think that if this story goes through, Van Gaal will be a plenipotentiary figure. Blind and Sturkenboom will be just his support in technical and general affairs. two managers, not at the same level of Louis, if I understood something.

[Philippe]

LVG is a great coach, although he completely failed with Oranje. But I have terrible memories of his previous return to Ajax, ending shortly after Zlatan's tranfer.

[rjf1]

He left because the board at the time undermined him at every turn. The only thing that interested that board was making money for the investors -- they could care less about the quality of the football.

[Manneken Pis]

As I recall (but I could be wrong), there was a clear difference in the ambitions of the board (and Ronald Koeman) versus LvG onhow high we should be aiming in Europe. That was the cause of the rupture, the departure of Zlatan was a symptom.

[Manneken Pis]

From the World Cup Blog........

What the hell is happening at Ajax?

Well, quite simple. A power struggle. Between the JC followers and the non-followers.

The JC followers basically say: JC is right in whatever he says and wants. He knows football, he’s the smartest cat in town and he knows how to build and run clubs. Want proof? Check out that little club in Spain…

The non-followers say: JC was a phenomenal player. Probably the best ever. JC was a great coach too. A risk taker. But good. But he’s delirious now, he thinks he knows everything. He doesn’t stick to protocol. He’s a bully. He wants his own way in everything and he isn’t nice.

So, basically JC was used to create a revolution at Ajax, pushing the old guard out, but as The Who sang in “Won’t get fooled again”: “Meet the new boss, he’s the same as the old boss”…

The new board can’t seem to work with JC either. They find him dominant. Headstrong. Biased. Difficult. They claim JC keeps on pushing Tscheu La Ling for the general manager’s role ( the board doesn’t want him) and they claim that JC put Marco van Basten off of taking the job.

Keje Molenaar, ex player/lawyer and one of the key people in the membership council: “Johan is the boss. People should start listening to him!”

But they don’t. Yes, there was a long talk between Board chair Steven ten Hage and JC some weeks back. They spoke for hours. The name “Louis van Gaal” was never mentioned.

At the same time, another board member – Edgar Davids! – approached Louis van Gaal and offered him the job.

Cruyff was kept in the dark. On purpose. As everyone knows, Johan doesn’t really rate Louis that high. And Cruyff would have blocked this appointment.
Van Gaal was told to keep this all a secret. This was not supposed to leak. A dirty undercover act. Lacking of transparency and respect.

JC’s reaction to the news was typical Cruyff: “Van Gaal??? They must have lost their minds!!”

Cruyff vs Van Gaal (look who has the ball!!)

Cruyff, obviously, is livid. He is very angry at Davids. “Davids should know better! It’s about Ajax, not about Van Gaal or me. This way of operating is bad for the club. Davids approached him behind my back. They all knew, except for me! What does that tell you?”

Dennis Bergkamp immediately went public: “I’m not sure I’ll be here when Van Gaal comes. Let’s face it, we started working along the JC-lines of thinking. Van Gaal will have his own ideas. I’m not sure if I support them. I might. But apparently, I need to have a talk with Van Gaal first. We’ll see. I did work under Van Gaal as a player and I worked well with him, but this is a new situation.”

Cruyff criticised Davids even more, as Edgar is being mentored as a youth coach by Wim Jonk. Jonk, who works along side the JC principles. “So Davids wants to learn to be a coach according to my principles and is helped by Jonk and in the meantime he signs another technical manager, who is not supported by me?”
Wim Jonk responded immediately and emailed Davids that he is not longer welcome at the youth grounds of Ajax. Hmmm…. A youth coach basically telling a board member not to come to the youth campus… Interesting.

Frank de Boer tries to stay out of this battle. “I will stay, no matter what. My future is with Ajax and I am here for Ajax. I’m not going to be involved with this battle. I respect both men and I wish they could work together. I’m sure they could, as I know their football vision is pretty similar.”

But De Boer did tell the Board: “You are playing with fire. The club doesn’t need this broohaha at the moment.” Asked who has his preference, the man who brought him to Ajax or the man with whom he won the CL: “Don’t ask me that. It’s like asking which of my kids I prefer.”



De Boer is most likely right, but it’s not about their vision. Cruyff-Van Gaal’s clashes are purely personal. Two male lions trying to lead the pack. The Egos have Landed.

Cruyff yesterday said: “Van Gaal has a good vision on football. But it’s not mine. He wants to gel winning teams and has a militaristic way of working, with his tactics. I don’t. I want individuals to think for themselves and take the decision on the pitch that is best for the situation. He wants to control all these situations as a coach. I think he could make our first team successful. But we need more. We need to make the club successful, including the youth! And that means: individual coaching and not straightjacket tactics. If Louis comes to Ajax, I won’t be around for long. We think different about everything in life. I’m sorry, if this is what they want, it’s over for me.”

The Dutch media loves these things. The papers are full with people wanting to add their 2cents to this Shakespearean tragedy. Stand up comics, politicians, journalists, ex players, analysts….they all get their 5 minutes of fame. With one saying: “Board chair Steven ten Hage should be wearing a bullet free vest from now on…”

This is how serious this rift has become.

And we all know from the past, that these situations carry over into the first team and its results.

So, a little reminder….how did this whole Hate Relationship between Johan and Louis start? What made JC state: “They’ve lost their minds!” when he heard about Van Gaal’s announcement.

The two meet first as players at Ajax. Both are vocal, dominant and cocky. And let’s face it: you need to be when you play at Ajax and you most definitely need to be when you want to be the playmaker. Cruyff was the Main Man at Ajax, and Louis was his understudy. Destined to replace JC once he’d leave. Van Gaal impressed at the youth system with his skills and vision but failed at top level: too slow. He never got a fair chance at Ajax 1 and left for Antwerp ( Belgium).
Van Gaal’s playing career was mediocre. He was a big player for small clubs. He was the King of Sparta for a while and truly impressed with great football ( alongside Dick Advocaat, Rene van der Gijp, Danny Blind, John de Wolf and Edwin Olde Riekerink to name a few), taking Sparta into Europe.

He ended up coaching and training at AZ before he shifted to Ajax as a youth coach. JC had already won the European Cup II as a coach with Ajax and was on his way to do great things with Barcelona.


See! He also fought with Pep!

When Ajax’ head coach Beenhakker “went home” to Real Madrid, Ajax pushed the young and self-confident Van Gaal forward and under his management, Ajax went from ugly duckling to European Royalty again.

Somewhere in that time frame, Van Gaal states, the problems started…
Apparently, JC hosted a big Xmas dinner in 1989. Van Gaal was invited and enjoyed the night. Until the phone went. For Louis. It was Louis’ family, telling him his sister had died. Van Gaal hastily fled the house to be with his family. Cruyff blamed Van Gaal for not having had the character to properly thank him for the Xmas dinner. This is what Louis writes in his autobiography.

Cruyff refuted this: “Nonsense. If Van Gaal actually said this, he has Alzheimer. Seriously, if someone thinks that of me, he lost the plot…he probably lost the whole trilogy.”

It’s quite easily explained though. When Cruyff left Ajax, he was the Most Exciting Coach Ever for the fans. They adored him. Van Gaal saw he got a second go at succeeding Cruyff and he wanted to make it count this time. So after winning the Eufa Cup and later the Champions League ( and other titles) he was quick to tell the media that “Louis van Gaal was the most successful coach of Ajax”. This must have hurt Cruyff’s ego.

It was painful to note that both coaches couldn’t compliment one another with their successes with respectively Ajax and Barcelona.

When JC is asked in the mid 1990s which other clubs than Barca play good football he doesn’t mention Ajax. He basically mentions Parma and Auxerre, to teams that ousted Ajax from the European tournaments in earlier seasons.

After JCs reign at Barca, the club signs Van Gaal. Could well have been part of the Catalunyan political games, as the candidate opposing Cruyff’s face chair promised to get Cruyff’s alter ego ( Van Gaal, indeed) to Barca.

And the latter throws oil on the fire when he claims that he looks forward to becoming the most successful coach of Barcelona too!

When Barca draws Kaiserslautern for the CL group stages, the media ask Van Gaal if he believes that is a tough opponent. “Not at all!”, van Gaal quips. Knowing well that Johan’s Barca had severe issues with Kaiserslautern before.


“And THIS is what I will do with JC when I see him!!”

The rift between the two is deep. When JC first came back to Ajax, last year, he claimed Blind had to go as he was “close to Van Gaal”. He never openly said this, but it’s a known fact. Blind had to publicly claim that he respected Cruyff at least as much and enjoyed working with Cruyff. When Frank de Boer supported Blind publicly Johan changed his tune and tolerated the defender he had signed himself.

There are many little things that happened over the last years and it’s also a matter of being guilty by association. Co Adriaanse was a close work mate of Louis van Gaal ( Co was director of youth system when Louis managed Ajax 1) and Co insulted Marco van Basten ( JC’s favourite son) with the famous horse/jockey quote.

Co probably didn’t help Louis with this remark.

When Louis returned to Ajax as a Technical Director in 2004, he clashed with coach Ronald Koeman ( and resigned) and Koeman is – as we all know – also a protege of one Cruyff.

JC had presented a development plan to the Dutch federation around 2000 ( when Rijkaard, another Cruyff adept was team manager), to further develop football. When the federation picked Van Gaal as Rijkaard’s successor, Van Gaal wiped JC’s plan off the table and presented his overblown and almost pathetic own plan, which was as thick as a phonebook and described exactly how every youth coach in every amateur club should work.

This plan was probably brilliant but not executable and terribly expensive. On top of that, Louis’ first task was to qualify for the World Cup 2002 which he never did.

So Louis left and his silly development plan was also wiped off the table.

One can imagine what JC said when Van Gaal failed to qualify for the World Cup.

This whole thing worries me because Ajax is a global landmark in football and this is just humiliating. Worse than the loss in a friendly against a couple of Turks… eh…Germans.

This could also have a bad effect on a number of potentially important players for Oranje: Van der Wiel, Janssen, Boerrighter, Anita… Let’s hope they keep it real.

Bottom line:

JC wants a technical manager that will pick up the phone when he calls and that will listen to his words. Louis van Gaal won’t do that. Van Gaal will go his own way. It might even be a good way… But there is no proof for that. He never operated on this level and his biggest results were achieved with Louis building up a team as a coach… The biggest achievements were done pre-Bosman arrest, even. Quite significant.

The Ajax Board needs to be clear on this. Either you go with Cruyff and you give him the reigns without questions or you don’t go with Cruyff, but then you need to grow the balls to come out in the open and say this!

Or JC and Louis should just kiss it away...

(Beneton Ad Spoof)

[Orange14]

@Manneken - thanks for the post; this whole story is way too sad whether or not is rubbing off on the players I don't know but clearly something is rotten in Amsterdam these days.