Ajax’s Search for a New Coach: The Potential for Spanish Leadership

Once Jordi Cruijff officially assumes his position as the technical director of Ajax, he will begin the search for a new head coach for the Amsterdam club. There is a strong likelihood that this coach will be Spanish.

In the past, Cruijff served as a director at FC Barcelona when Xavi Hernández was the head coach there. It raises the question: would the former midfielder of the Catalan club be interested in becoming the new figurehead at Johan Cruijff ArenA? His name has been mentioned several times, albeit somewhat jokingly, but it’s important to remember that extraordinary events are not out of the realm of possibility.

Ajax has never had a Spanish coach in its history, but that could soon change. Recently, Valentijn Driessen commented in a video for Vandaag Inside, stating, “I believe there is a significant chance they will finish this season with Fred Grim. It largely depends on who the technical director becomes, but if it is Jordi Cruijff (which is becoming increasingly clear), Ajax will be led by a Spaniard for the first time.” He also mentioned a name, though not Xavi’s: “I would give Girona coach Míchel a considerable chance.”

Football International discussed Xavi and Ajax a few months ago, noting, “Over a year after his departure from Barcelona, Xavi is in search of a new project. Following a taxing period in Catalonia, where he claimed he suffered from being both a coach and a fan, he is looking for a club where he can build for the long term. His ambition mirrors that of Mikel Arteta in pursuing a project in the Premier League. Xavi appears to have the patience to wait for this opportunity. If Ajax intends to pursue Xavi, Louis van Gaal could be a strategic asset. The advisor to the supervisory board once facilitated Xavi’s debut at Barcelona, and since then, the bond between mentor and mentee has remained strong.” As it stands, Ajax thus finds itself in possession of two advantageous cards.