Jordi Cruijff’s Upcoming Role as Ajax’s Technical Director: Insights and Concerns

Jordi Cruijff is set to officially take on the role of technical director at Ajax in the near future. Former football player Wim Kieft perceives a significant advantage for Cruijff, noting that he cannot perform worse than his predecessors. However, Kieft also expresses some reservations, particularly due to Cruijff’s lack of proven success in this capacity.

In his column for De Telegraaf, Kieft suggests that the timing is ideal for Cruijff to step into his new role in Amsterdam. “At Ajax, the narrative is always the same: it either goes exceptionally well or it fails spectacularly. With that context, this is a perfect moment for the new technical director, Jordi Cruijff, to make his entrance. It is impossible for him to perform worse than the likes of Gerry Hamstra, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Sven Mislintat, and Alex Kroes at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.”

Kieft points out that Ajax and Feyenoord often face challenges that lead to poor performances. “When you look at the issues these clubs encounter and the financial losses incurred, it is clear that with some common sense, Cruijff cannot do worse at Ajax. Moreover, a new generation of young players is emerging that seems capable of restoring Ajax’s identity.”

Despite this optimism, Kieft remains cautious given Cruijff’s past roles in football. “He has played many roles within the sport, and undoubtedly, his surname has played a part in this. That name brings hope and creates certain expectations. However, Cruijff has yet to demonstrate his capability as a top-tier technical director in any previous position.”

As Ajax navigates the transfer market, journalist Maarten Wijffels has reported that Cruijff has not yet engaged in the daily operations of the club. “Jordi Cruijff is currently not involved in the day-to-day affairs at Ajax,” assures Wijffels from Algemeen Dagblad. Although his name is frequently associated with transfer targets, this connection may be premature.