Jordi Cruijff, the son of legendary Ajax player Johan Cruijff, was appointed as technical director in February. He has stated that Ajax needs two league titles to return to its former glory. This ambition is not new to Cruijff, who previously achieved success as technical director at Maccabi Tel Aviv, where he led the team to three consecutive league titles from 2012 to 2014.
Cruijff has brought in several Spanish staff members, including Míchel Sánchez, Alberto Garrido, Juanvi Peinado, and Juan Carlos Balaguer. This has led World Soccer Magazine to question whether Cruijff's reliance on experienced players from outside the club is a risk worth taking. Ajax is known for its youth academy, and Cruijff's decision to prioritize experienced players may be seen as a departure from the club's traditional values.
Cruijff's reliance on Spanish staff members may also be a concern. While they may bring valuable experience, they may not be familiar with the Eredivisie, the Dutch football culture, and the different factions within the club. World Soccer Magazine notes that Cruijff is taking a huge risk by focusing on experienced players at a club known worldwide for its youth academy.
The outcome of Cruijff's approach remains to be seen.