John van ‘t Schip talks to Ajax about the arrival of Michael Valkanis, he writes The Telegraph. The former assistant of the future trainer must join the technical staff in the short term. However, it is unclear whether Ajax is prepared to grant Van ‘t Schip’s wish. Among other things, a lump sum must be paid.
Van ‘t Schip knows Valkanis from his time at Melbourne City. The one-time Australian international was the Dutchman’s assistant there between 2016 and 2017. When Van ‘t Schip subsequently left for PEC Zwolle, Valkanis came along. Even when Van ‘t Schip became national coach of Greece, Valkanis served as his right-hand man.
The duo parted ways in 2021, when Van ‘t Schip decided not to serve out his contract in Greece. Valkanis left for KAS Eupen, before taking over at Hapoel Tel Aviv. The 49-year-old Australian has only played five matches there. Two of them were won, two were drawn and one was lost.
Although Valkanis only has a contract until June, a buyout sum will have to be paid. The question is whether Ajax wants to comply. The Amsterdammers have already paid a lot of money for the twelve summer signings, of which hardly anyone has come to fruition.
It is also unclear what consequences a possible arrival will have for Hedwiges Maduro and Saïd Bakkati. The duo was only brought to Amsterdam in the summer to assist the now dismissed Maurice Steijn.
The forecast is that Van ‘t Schip will be presented at Ajax on Monday or Tuesday. The 59-year-old trainer is finishing the season, while incoming director Alex Kroes is looking for a permanent successor for Steijn. Kroes is also reportedly considering a foreign trainer.