Johan Derksen does not rule out that Pascal Jansen had contact with Ajax about becoming head coach there during his employment with AZ. Something similar happened earlier with Arne Slot, who spoke to Feyenoord behind AZ's back and was immediately able to pack his things.

“Wouldn't it be true that Alex Kroes (general manager of Ajax, ed.) has already approached Pascal Jansen, that the AZ management heard that and then said: then Jansen will leave immediately? They then did that with Finally done,” said Derksen Today Inside.

Slot was suddenly released by the AZ club management in December 2020 when they became aware that there had been discussions with Feyenoord. The sudden dismissal came as a bombshell.

“At AZ we want to have a head coach for the group who is completely focused on AZ,” Max Huiberts said at the time. Barely two weeks later, Slot was presented as Feyenoord's new trainer.

Valentijn Driessen, also at the table, does not rule out Derksen's theory. “That could be possible. They never really gave a reason to fire Jansen. Yes, poor performance, but I don't think the relationship with the players was that good anymore.”

Derksen is not happy with interim coach Maarten Martens. “I think that Belgian is a very motivating trainer, he is on top of things,” says the moustache cynical. “I have never seen such a dead man. He was a very nice football player, but he is not a man who inspires.”

Pascal Jansen was head coach of AZ for more than three years. He initially took over from Slot on an interim basis and subsequently extended his contract twice. He was fired on January 17 due to disappointing results.

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