Ajax’s Fall and Rebuild: What Went Wrong in Amsterdam Football Dynasty?
For decades, AFC Ajax has been synonymous with beautiful football, youth development, and European glory. Known for producing world-class talents such as Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, Dennis Bergkamp, and more recently Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt, the Amsterdam-based club built a legacy around attacking philosophy and homegrown brilliance. But in 2023–2024, that legacy stumbled into crisis.
From a stunning semi-final Champions League run in 2019 to finishing in the bottom half of the Eredivisie table in 2024, Ajax’s fall from grace shocked the football world. Once hailed as a modern model of sustainable success, the Dutch giants now face questions about leadership, recruitment, and identity.
What exactly went wrong? And more importantly, how can Ajax rebuild?
The Golden Era: Ajax's Rise from 2018 to 2020
Under the guidance of Erik ten Hag, Ajax experienced a renaissance between 2018 and 2020. The 2018–19 Champions League campaign was magical—Ajax defeated Real Madrid and Juventus before falling heartbreakingly to Tottenham Hotspur in the semi-finals. The club combined tactical intelligence with a fearless, attacking brand of football.
Key stars such as Donny van de Beek, Hakim Ziyech, Frenkie de Jong, and Matthijs de Ligt became hot commodities across Europe, eventually earning big-money moves. Ajax’s scouting and academy were the envy of the footballing world.
But that level of success created a double-edged sword.
The Exodus: Losing a Generation Too Soon
Between 2019 and 2021, Ajax lost nearly their entire core squad. De Jong joined Barcelona, de Ligt moved to Juventus, Ziyech to Chelsea, and van de Beek to Manchester United. While this was not unprecedented—Ajax is historically a selling club—the timing and volume of departures left the squad hollow.
The club did bring in replacements, but many failed to reach the expected standard. Additionally, the departures of these leaders had a cultural impact. The “Ajax DNA” was diluted, and the next generation failed to carry the same swagger.
Missteps in the Transfer Market
Ajax’s recruitment model has long relied on discovering hidden gems or re-developing underappreciated talents. But from 2021 to 2024, the strategy faltered:
Overpriced signings like Francisco Conceição and Calvin Bassey didn’t meet expectations.
Veterans such as Steven Bergwijn and Davy Klaassen provided moments but failed to lead consistently.
The club began relying more on foreign imports rather than youth academy talents—a shift from the tradition that built their identity.
The result? Ajax spent more, got less, and lost its signature style of football.
Leadership and Structural Problems
After Erik ten Hag departed for Manchester United in 2022, Ajax struggled to find a suitable long-term replacement. Coaches like Alfred Schreuder and John Heitinga failed to instill a consistent tactical system or maintain control over the locker room.
Behind the scenes, leadership instability made things worse:
Director of Football Marc Overmars resigned in disgrace following inappropriate conduct allegations.
Club icon Edwin van der Sar also stepped down, leaving a vacuum in football operations.
The board made erratic decisions in both managerial appointments and player recruitment.
This organizational dysfunction trickled down onto the pitch. Ajax became a team without direction, both tactically and culturally.
Youth Development Stalled
Ajax’s famed De Toekomst academy has been the heartbeat of the club. However, in recent years, the pipeline has slowed. While players like Jurrien Timber and Ryan Gravenberch made the jump to Europe’s elite, the next generation lacked the same standout quality.
In part, this may be due to:
Changes in youth coaching staff.
Less emphasis on promoting young players due to increased pressure for immediate results.
Greater competition from other European academies luring top Dutch youth talent.
As the focus shifted to short-term fixes, the long-term strength of Ajax's academy system weakened.
The 2023–24 Season: Crisis Confirmed
By the 2023–24 season, Ajax hit rock bottom. The club suffered heavy defeats in the Eredivisie, dropped out of European competitions early, and failed to find rhythm under inconsistent coaching. Fans turned against the board, demanding transparency and accountability.
At one point, Ajax found themselves in the bottom three of the Eredivisie—an unthinkable situation for a club of their stature. Despite a slight upturn in form later in the season, it was clear: Ajax was in crisis.
The Rebuild Begins: Return to Identity
Ajax has now begun to take steps to recover its identity:
1. Leadership Reset
The club appointed Alex Kroes as the new director of football and is seeking to rebuild with a stronger technical structure. The focus is now on long-term planning over short-term reactions.
2. Focus Back on Youth
Ajax is once again investing in De Toekomst, emphasizing the development of players like Silvano Vos, Amourricho van Axel Dongen, and Gabriel Misehouy. The idea is to create a new golden generation from within.
3. Smarter Recruitment
Rather than spending €20 million on risk-heavy signings, Ajax is looking for under-the-radar talents with strong resale value and tactical compatibility.
4. Tactical Identity
New managerial hires are expected to adhere to the core Ajax principles: possession-based, attacking football with technical excellence. The goal is not just to win, but to win with style.
European Aspirations on Hold?
While returning to the Champions League is always a goal, Ajax may need to temporarily step back and rebuild their foundation. Competing in the Europa League or Conference League can provide crucial experience for younger players and less pressure.
The club understands that quick fixes no longer work. A long-term project—much like what Ten Hag oversaw in 2017–2018—is required.
Lessons from the Fall
Ajax’s downfall offers lessons not just for themselves, but for all of European football:
Selling talent is fine, but timing and succession planning are crucial.
Cultural identity and club DNA must not be sacrificed for quick gains.
Strong leadership matters—from the boardroom to the dugout.
Even the most storied clubs can fall if they lose sight of their principles.
Why Ajax Still Matters in Football
Despite recent struggles, Ajax remains a vital institution in global football. The club’s legacy, history, and influence are unmatched in the Netherlands and respected worldwide. Their blueprint for youth development has inspired clubs from Barcelona to RB Leipzig.
Ajax has always stood for more than just winning—they stand for a philosophy. And that philosophy, though shaken, is far from dead.
Conclusion: From Collapse to Comeback
Ajax's recent collapse was more than a bad run of form—it was a systemic failure. Yet within that failure lies the potential for rebirth. By returning to their roots, rebuilding their academy, and re-establishing a cohesive football vision, Ajax can once again become a force in both Dutch and European football.
The journey back won’t be immediate, but it will be worth it. Because when Ajax rises again, it will be on the foundation of everything that made them great in the first place.
Keep the Spirit of Football Alive
Ajax’s story is a reminder that football is a game of cycles—of glory, adversity, and revival. Whether you support Ajax or another club with a rich past and uncertain future, continue backing your team and this beautiful game. Let’s stand together as fans and ensure that the heart of Bt gaming free credit—its culture, values, and community—beats stronger than ever.
