According to it, Maurice Steijn has Algemeen Dagblad In the past period I have been in contact with several ‘former Ajax players’ who have expressed a lot of criticism of Ajax’s purchases in the past period. While many supporters called for the dismissal of Jan van Halst (interim director), Maurits Hendriks (Chief Sports Officer) and some members of the Supervisory Board, Steijn was kept out of the picture for a remarkably long time, also by certain analysts.
Steijn was fired by Ajax on Monday evening due to the continued dramatic results. Former Ajax players such as Rafael van der Vaart, Wesley Sneijder and Andy van der Meijde have judged Ajax’s game harshly in recent weeks. In the eyes of the analysts, however, Steijn could hardly be blamed for anything.
Van der Vaart, Sneijder and Van der Meijde even called Steijn’s dismissal unjustified, while Marco van Basten in turn had doubts about the moment of sending away the 49-year-old coach, as many good trainers are now occupied.
It Algemeen Dagblad writes in a large background story that several former Ajax players were ‘whispered’ by Steijn. However, the morning newspaper does not go into detail about this and does not mention any names. It is clear that some former Ajax players, in their role as analysts, disqualified many Ajax summer signings.
After the loss of points at Fortuna Sittard (0-0) at the beginning of September, Steijn himself complained about the involvement in the purchasing policy under the now dismissed director of football affairs Sven Mislintat and that ‘time would tell whether there was enough quality in the selection’. He criticized the quality of his summer signings several times in recent months.
Van Hooijdonk
Pierre van Hooijdonk suggested on Sunday, a day before Steijn’s dismissal Studio Football that the coach was still Ajax’s coach thanks to his ‘good relationship’ with the media. “Steijn’s network with regard to the media is simply very strong. Many people do not understand why no one says: that trainer has to go. There is simply less criticism because he deals well with the media.” Van Hooijdonk stated in a heated discussion with Van der Vaart that Steijn influences the analysts’ opinions by ‘drinking coffee’.
“Raf, it is difficult for you too,” Van Hooijdonk continued. “You were also asked by him and you occasionally drink a cup of coffee with him. I understand that and it makes sense too. That means you can’t vent like you could with someone else.”
“Then the role of De Telegraaf with Mike Verweij and speaking puppet Van der Meijde. In addition, Wesley Sneijder, with whom he had a cup of coffee several times. You’re just talking with flour in your mouth before you even realize it. Steijn does relationship management really well. That helps him in the media and the way in which they influence the situation,” Van Hooijdonk said firmly. “Because ultimately the media has a lot of influence.”
Felle Van Hooijdonk states that Steijn deliberately influences public opinion
Van Hooijdonk suggested on Sunday that Steijn was still Ajax’s trainer, partly thanks to his ‘good relationship’ with the media.