Jordi Cruijff’s Strategic Shift at Ajax: A Focus on Player Development

omidbasir- Jordi Cruijff’s swift intervention at Ajax raises questions about his decision to replace Willem Weijs with Oscar García, along with a team of Spanish assistants. Ultimately, the primary goal is to secure additional financial resources.

The new Ajax coach is committed to nurturing players such as Hugo Ekitike and Dayot Upamecano. As García notes in Voetbal International, “I have developed many talented players at my previous clubs, including Hugo Ekitike and Dayot Upamecano. This is a club with a philosophy and mentality akin to Barcelona. Jordi (Cruijff) reached out to me to assist in developing players so that when they reach the first team, they are genuinely prepared to compete for a starting position, rather than just playing one game or ten minutes and then returning. The aim is to restore the traditional Ajax philosophy.”

García emphasizes that he does not have an ego in this role, stating, “My ego is covered. I did not come here with the ambition to become the head coach of Ajax 1, nor is that the plan. Jordi has never discussed the first team with me. I fully understand my role; the first team already has a coach. What I aspire to do is to provide Fred Grim with well-prepared players who are ready to compete for a place in the first team.”