Francesco Farioli has given his first interview to Ajax's official club channels. In it, the brand new trainer of the Amsterdam team talks about Johan Cruijff and his habit of occasionally sleeping at the club.

The transition of the Italian coach from OGC Nice to Ajax became official on Thursday evening. He will start working at the Johan Cruijff ArenA from June 11 and has signed a contract until mid-2027.

“I had the feeling that this was a perfect fit for me, because the football I love and the football I want to convey on the pitch comes from here,” Farioli explains his choice for Ajax. “This is one of the few clubs in the world with such a clear DNA in terms of playing style and the football that fans want to see on the pitch. It is a good match between the club and my way of thinking and the football I love.”

“When we talk about mentors and examples, Cruijff was of course one of them game changers as a football player and trainer,” he continues. “Both in his time at Ajax and at FC Barcelona. For all coaches and football fans who came after him, he was someone to watch, with his ideas and philosophy.”

To sleep

Someone who worked with Farioli at Fatih Karagümrük in Turkey was Derrick Luckassen. The defender recently said in conversation with Football International about his former trainer: “He is someone who can spend all day playing football and barely goes home. Sometimes it seemed as if he lived at the club.”

In conversation with Ajax, Farioli is confronted with that statement. “To be honest, that's true. It's my life, it's our life. When my family was not there, both in Turkey and France, I slept at the club. Because I don't want to waste time. I like to wake up, drink coffee and get started. And even if the day lasted a little longer, I could still work quietly at night and reflect.”

When the interviewer asked whether his bed should be prepared in advance, Farioli responded with a laugh: “That is certainly necessary, yes.”

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