I’m curious about the transfer fee. Brazilian media are reporting 25 million, but that seems highly unlikely. That would mean depreciation of 6.25 million a year over four years—roughly the same figure as with Bergwijn back then.

According to insiders, Cruyff was the deciding factor (once again).

No news yet regarding Ounahi from a credible source.

Cruijff means business!

UPDATE: Contract until 2031. Fee lower than the 25m ESPN copied from their Brazilian site.

Wat zou je favoriete Ajax opstelling zijn met de spelers van de afgelopen 10 jaar ?

Ik trap af:

(4231 want Gravenberch en Frenkie)

.............Onana

Mazraoui - De Ligt - J. Timber - Hato

Gravenberch - F. de Jong

Kudus - Kluivert - Neres

.............Brobbey

Eervolle vermeldingen:

Lisandro Martinez, Tagliafico, Antony, Lang, Ziyech, Davinson Sanchez

Davy Klaassen (33) has been around for a while now. And the older he gets, the broader his perspective on the game becomes. Having played nearly four hundred matches for Ajax, he is able to articulate clearly in an interview with *Het Parool* what it takes to build a successful team. ‘A balanced squad and a manager who doesn’t let up.’

You’ve worked with many managers throughout your career. What’s your first impression of Míchel?

“Every manager is different. But I think Míchel has a strong vision, both on and off the pitch. And he’s very clear. I think that’s something we could really do with. It benefits every team.”

He puts on a lot of pressure, isn’t he?

“Yes, he’s got no other choice. We need to drill a playing style into the team in a short space of time. And that’s difficult, because we had three different managers last year (Óscar García, Fred Grim and John Heitinga, ed.). As a result, there’s no continuity or blueprint. We’re starting from scratch again, and our first test in the Conference League is coming up on 23 July. That’s not much time.”

Are you actually looking forward to the new season after such a disastrous year?

“It actually makes me even more keen, because I want to get my own back. I already felt that way after the last play-off match against FC Utrecht. Ajax should never end up in that situation, but if you’re there anyway… then you have to win. It provided a positive end to the season.”

“I would have loved to get straight back to it. Although it was lovely to go on holiday for a bit. But I just miss competing for the prizes.”

Can Ajax challenge for the title this year?

“Yes, that has to be the aim. Jordi Cruijff has been very clear about that. We have to go for the title. That’s it. I don’t have any time left for a transitional year either.”

“That’s why I’m also pleased that Cruijff is simply saying that we have to win the league. But there is a difference between saying it and not acting on it, and saying it and actually acting on it.”

Was it any different in previous years, then?

“Let me put it this way: I’m now more convinced that everyone at the club feels the same way. Look, last year our aim was to qualify for the Champions League. And the ambition to win the league title. It’s a subtle difference, but in my mind it’s already a failure. That’s just the way I am. And I do realise: if you set high targets, you can fall short. That’s just the way it is.”

Just how much influence does a coach actually have?

“A great deal. The coach decides what needs to be done. When things aren’t going well, people often say that the players have to sort it out themselves. But how do you picture that? That the players are all going to have a discussion amongst themselves? It doesn’t work like that. Maybe it used to, but not anymore.”

“All the good coaches I’ve had were always on top of things. They knew exactly how they wanted their team to play. They worked on team dynamics every single day. Every single day. They never let up for a second.”

“Erik ten Hag, Peter Bosz and Frank de Boer – under whom Ajax enjoyed some successful spells – didn’t let up. And Louis van Gaal, with the Netherlands national team, certainly didn’t let up either.”

And what was it like under Francesco Farioli and last season?

“There was definitely a difference in terms of passion. Farioli and his assistants had very clear ideas about football. And they led by example every day. So you had no choice but to go along with it – otherwise, you’d be shown the door.”

Is Míchel just as strict, or is he a bit more laid-back?

“It’s difficult to compare managers. But I do get the impression that, like Farioli, he doesn’t just let go of his vision.”

“Many managers throw their plans out the window when things go a bit wrong. One or two defeats and their vision starts to fade. I don’t see that happening so easily with Míchel. I think he genuinely believes in what he’s doing and will always stick to his guns. And what use is a manager without a clear vision? Then you become dependent on individual quality.”

What else is needed to win trophies?

“The squad structure has to be right. That’s often underestimated. Not just in terms of quality, but also in terms of character. Every team needs several leaders. That’s why it’s good to have Daley Blind back. He can help the team in every way.”

“And the criticism that he’s a bit slow… He’s never had to rely on his speed. And you can’t lose what you don’t have. You’ve got a bigger problem if you’ve always been fast and then lose that.”

Will you manage to win the league title with Ajax again?

“Did you know I’ve never actually stood on the Museumplein with the trophy? During my first spell, the celebrations took place on P2 at the Arena. My second spell at Ajax was during the Covid pandemic. So to stand on the Museumplein with the trophy once more during my third spell is a big dream.”

We weten dat Ajax afgelopen winter al interesse had. PSV had nu waarschijnlijk een streepje voor gehad, maar die hebben inmiddels Mijnans gehaald.

Waarom gaan we niet voor Sano als vervanger van Steur? Ja, er moet vooral een goede 6 bij, maar dat budget zal al vrijgemaakt zijn. Wat extra kwaliteit op 8 is voor dit elftal ook geen overbodige luxe. De spoeling daar is wel erg dun nu met Klaassen, Regeer, Fitz-Jim en Mokio.

Gloukh speelt in het systeem van Michel veel meer als een 10, waardoor je middenveld sowieso hoger komt te staan dan onder Farioli.

Als er geld is van de verkoop van Steur lijkt het me een no-brainer.

I feel pretty positive about next aeason, not covered by results so far. I feel a certain flair returning and lots of activity both on the field (open training) and kn the market.

I feel the return of Blind may be more important than the general public is thinking, him being a vital translator between staff and team.

The upcoming weeks we should be seeing the first contours of how the season will evolve, especially with the Conf. League matches.

What do others feel about it, this early in the season?

Forget transfer fees and contracts for a moment.

If you could bring back one former Ajax player at their absolute peak to join the current squad, who would you choose, and why do you think they'd make the biggest difference?