The Legacy of Francesco Farioli at Ajax: A Reflection through Paul Nuijten

What if Francesco Farioli had remained at Ajax? The Italian coach left Amsterdam after last season, yet his influence endures through the work of Paul Nuijten.

‘Farioli is back at Ajax, represented by Paul Nuijten.’

It is easy to overlook the significant criticism Farioli faced for not adhering to the traditional ‘Ajax way’ of playing. Jop van Kempen, author of ‘Het Ajax DNA,’ remarked in an interview with Ajax Showtime: “Under John Heitinga, we witnessed how vulnerable a team can be when it solely focuses on attacking, especially when this approach is poorly executed. This can lead to increased losses. I believe that adopting an overly aggressive style that does not yield results, leading to a fifth or sixth-place finish, is not suitable for Ajax. Instead, a more conservative approach with selective attacking strategies is necessary to contend for the league title. This aligns more closely with the principles of top-level football than attempting tactics that are beyond one’s capabilities.”