Friday, April 29, 2022 at 9:01 PM• Mart van Mourik

The departure of Erik ten Hag from Ajax will affect the near future of both Kenneth Taylor and Naci Ünüvar. In the podcast kick off by The Telegraph let Mike Verweij know that the negotiations between Ajax and Ünüvar about a contract extension have accelerated since the departure of Ten Hag was announced. The choice for the successor of the current coach of the Amsterdam team will also have an impact on Taylor’s decision whether or not to sign.

“I thought Kenneth Taylor played very well during a visit to NEC (0-1 win),”, opens Verweij. “But at Ten Hag he had very few opportunities, while he could already go to Juventus and other big clubs when he signed his first professional contract with Ajax. It is of course essential for that boy to know who the trainer will be, if he wants to extend. It is of course important whether the trainer sees it in him.”

“Look, when a trainer comes again who stagnates his development… In principle you have to start from your own strengths as a player. But if you feel that your development has been inhibited by the previous trainer and another trainer comes along who doesn’t see it in you, then maybe you should also choose for yourself”, Verweij concludes. Taylor, who still has a contract until mid-2024, made nine appearances in the current Eredivisie season. Ten Hag’s exit is also expected to have positive consequences for Ünüvar, whose contract expires in June 2023.

“It is very strange that Ünüvar does not play, because he has the best statistics ever at Jong Ajax”, continues Verweij. “But he is simply not in Ten Hag’s plans at all. He is not even allowed to train, at least not structurally. I think that is very strange, but that may be a blind spot of Ten Hag. But Ajax does see it in him. From the moment it was announced that Ten Hag would leave, the talks have accelerated. There have been multiple talks over the intention of both sides for Ünüvar to renew. He has an offer for a multi-year contract and the expectation is that the club and player will come to an agreement.”