Business manager Rob Jansen feels sorry for John van 't Schip. The Ajax trainer started his job in Amsterdam in a strong position in October, but things have now deteriorated considerably.

Ajax failed to win the past four league matches, against PSV (1-1), SC Heerevenveen (3-2), NEC (2-2) and AZ (2-0). As a result, place three is now completely out of sight. The deficit to FC Twente is no less than eleven points, while AZ, as number four, already has a six-point lead.

“I don't think Van 't Schip will remain Ajax's coach after this season,” says Kees Jansma in the podcast KieftJansenEgmondGijp. “I don't think he's having much fun at the moment either.”

Jansen agrees with those words. “We know Johnny all very good. It's a friend of mine and you can see sadness on his face. I feel sorry for him and I feel very sorry for him. He is tired.”

“Many people have already forgotten that he joined Ajax just after the death of his wife Danielle,” the agent continues. “It's fantastic that he did this, but I can read from his head: 'Damn it, guys. I'm having a hard time.'”

Jansma thinks that it will be 'quite difficult' for Ajax to find a new trainer for next season and advocates Van 't Schip. “Maybe I'm about the only one in this. Ajax is criticized from all sides, but normally they have a vanguard with Bergwijn, Brobbey and Berghuis. That's a great vanguard, isn't it? Now Van 't Schip has to miss Bergwijn and Berghuis and then he has to field players who are actually the third choice. You can't hold him accountable for that, can you?”

Van der Gijp mainly has to deal with Ajax's attackers. “As a vanguard player you are the most dependent. For example, if Bergwijn gets the ball, stand next to it. Then there are six defenders in front of you.” The Ajax captain is currently injured. He is expected to be out of action for a few more weeks due to a thigh injury.

Finally, Jansen advises Ajax to continue with Van 't Schip for another season. “I would dare to do that. Van 't Schip has a lot of credit, and rightly so. Maybe he needs to take another look at his coaching staff. I would give him another season.”

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