Now that it is known that Ajax has to look for a new head coach, speculation about possible names can begin. It General Journal previously stated that director of football affairs Sven Mislintat looks across the border and there is therefore a chance that next season there will be a foreigner in Amsterdam for the first time in a long time. Football zone list three possible candidates.
By Jordi Tomasowa
At the beginning of last month, Sven Mislintat expressed his confidence in Heitinga at his presentation as Ajax’s new director of football affairs. In the eyes of the German, the 39-year-old coach had good papers to become the new head coach of the team from Amsterdam next season. More than a month later, one can wonder how much weight should be given to that statement. In fact, Mislintat had no choice but to express his confidence. After all, Heitinga had stuck his neck out for the club by taking up the gauntlet after Alfred Schreuder’s dismissal.
There is a good chance that Mislintat will appoint a foreign trainer at Ajax as director of football affairs for the coming season.
Heitinga preferred not to risk his reputation, but after Ajax’s club management made an emphatic appeal to him, he still tacked. About three and a half months later it can be concluded that Ajax has made little progress under Heitinga. Feyenoord is about to be crowned champion of the Netherlands, while PSV is approaching a ticket for the preliminary round of the Champions League with a current second place in the Eredivisie. Due to the loss of the cup final against PSV, Ajax closes the season without a prize for the first time since 2018/19.
A thorough reconstruction is necessary, but who will stand for the group next season is not yet clear. Both Mislintat and general manager Edwin van der Sar would not like the arrival of Peter Bosz. In addition, the administrative duo reportedly have serious doubts about the possible continuity of Heitinga, who, according to Mislintat, does not yet have enough experience to lead Ajax 1. There is therefore a good chance that Ajax will opt for a foreign trainer.
Marcelo Gallardo (clubless)
If Ajax is actually looking for an experienced foreign trainer who is somewhat feasible, it will probably end up with Marcelo Gallardo. The 47-year-old Argentine is one of the most respected modern trainers in South America. River Plate appointed him in 2014. Under his leadership, the Argentinian top club has won prizes in recent years. Gallardo won the Copa Libertadores twice with River Plate, the Argentine national title once, the Copa Sudamericana and the Recopa (South American Super Cup) three times. The coach has los Millionarios with all these prizes his prestige has been restored.
Gallardo is praised for the football that River Plate played under his leadership. Possession and technically refined football characterize his style of play. The Argentinian almost always encourages his players to play with flair and creativity. His philosophy, aimed at putting high pressure on opponents, makes it possible to quickly regain possession and create chances from there. Gallardo has also built a reputation as a flexible coach. He still possesses and uses the intuition he already had as a player, making him extremely tactically versatile and not afraid to completely change his formation if a game calls for it.
Europe is waiting for ‘Napoleon’: the man who already convinced Guardiola and Messi
The currently clubless Marcelo Gallardo had eight extremely successful years with River plate.
The focus at River Plate in recent years has been mainly on fitting players from the youth academy or attracting promising young players from smaller clubs. Gallardo was also given a role within the club in coordinating the academy, which is highly professionalised. The attitude of the Argentinian coach towards young, promising players is of great importance in their development, as has been shown in recent years.
Gallardo cites Marcelo Bielsa and Pep Guardiola as the trainers who have had the greatest influence on him. Guardiola and Lionel Messi, among others, have repeatedly stated in the past that they are big fans of Gallardo and it seems only a matter of time before Napoleon will make the crossing to Europe. This nickname was given to him by River Plate supporters because of his team’s strong performance in tournaments, his tactical ability and his short height. Gallardo’s contract with River Plate expired in December, after which he deliberately opted for a sabbatical. On paper he seems to be the perfect trainer for Ajax. The only obstacle is that he is not fluent in English.
Ange Postecoglou (Celtic)
Ange Postecoglou was appointed by Celtic in the summer of 2021 after losing the league title to Rangers for the first time in a decade. The Scottish top club finished no less than 25 points behind the eternal rival. The Australian was then given the arduous task of completely rebuilding Celtic. Now that Postecoglou has been at the helm for almost two seasons, it can be concluded that he has managed to pull Celtic out of the doldrums with his effective tactical approach.
As a starting coach, Postecoglou made a name for himself in his home country by playing professional football with Brisbane Roar and Melbourne. During both tenures, Postecoglou won the league title, while Brisbane went unbeaten in an impressive 36 games in a row. This was followed by a four-year employment as national coach of Australia. Postecoglou led the Socceroos to the 2014 World Cup and was able to add the Asian Cup to his palmares a year later.
By capturing the Japanese national title with Yokohama F. Marinos – their first in fifty years – Postecoglou eventually came into the picture at Celtic. After missing out on Eddie Howe, the Hoops specifically for him. Everyone in Scotland is now talking about it Ange Ball, the beautiful, fast and energetic positional play played under the manager at Celtic. Postecoglou stands for attacking football and tries to secure opponents early with Celtic through high pressing.
Just like with Guardiola’s Manchester City, play inverted wingbacks under Postecoglou a crucial role in his style of play. On possession, the wingbacks pull into the center to create an additional play option in midfield. In doing so, he not only ensures that the center is well occupied at all times, but midfielders can also interfere with an attack further down the field. Finally, Postecoglou has a reputation for giving young talents a chance and integrating them into the first team, which is also expected of him in a possible employment with Ajax.
Kjetil Knutsen (FK Bodø/Glimt)
The most unknown candidate in this list is Kjetil Knutsen. The 54-year-old trainer is the architect of the well-oiled football machine Bodø/Glimt. The club still played at the second level in 2017, but in 2021 was crowned champion of Norway for the first time in club history, then extended the national title and established its name in Europe by winning 6-1 against AS Roma in the Conference League beat Jose Mourinho. Bodø/Glimt made a big impression throughout Norway with hyper-attacking, aggressive and therefore extremely attractive football.
The northernmost champion in the world, for whom Haaland turns on the TV
Football zone published a story about the Norwegian stunt crew in December 2021.
Knutsen gives young talents the chance and managed to outperform with a small budget during the rise of Bodø/Glimt. He seems like a dream trainer for any club that dares to gamble with him. Knutsen experienced the promotion to the Norwegian Eliteserien in 2018 as an assistant coach, after which the club gave him final responsibility. In his third season as head coach of Bodø/Glimt, he thus gave the club the national championship. The club broke all records that season. Bodø/Glimt lost only once, had the most wins ever (26), scored the most goals ever (103) and scored the most points ever (81). The traditional top club Molde FK followed no less than 19 points behind.
Knutsen’s 4-3-3 formation with steamy backs and energetic midfielders is inspired by the gegenpressing that Jürgen Klopp uses at Liverpool. It took a season for the Bodø/Glimt squad to master Knutsen’s playing principles. Once that was the case, his team could hardly be beaten. After a season in which it finished second in Norway at a suitable distance from Molde FK, Bodø/Glimt started the new season very strongly under Knutsen: sixteen points were achieved from the first six league matches.