From the ashes, Ajax is back

Francesco Farioli helped Ajax revive.

At the same time nearly a year ago, the atmosphere at the Johan Cruyff Stadium was at its worst ever. At that time, Ajax had to change 4 coaches in just 6 months, creating a rare crisis within the most traditional team in the Netherlands.

Resurgence from crisis

Ajax have been in the bottom half of the 2023/24 Eredivisie table for some time, with fans fearing the worst. After a recovery in the final stretch, Ajax finished 5th in the Eredivisie last season, while still qualifying for European competition this season.

However, it was still a disastrous result given the club’s stature and expectations. Ajax’s 5th place in the 2023/24 Dutch National Championship was their worst performance since the 1999/00 season. They earned an average of just 1.65 points per game, their lowest since the 1964/65 season.

The arrival of Francesco Farioli from Nice in late May changed everything. The Italian took over at the age of 35, becoming one of the youngest managers ever to manage Ajax. By choosing a young foreign coach, the Dutch club took a risk.

Initially, Ajax's board only expected Farioli to rebuild the team, bring them back to the top 3 and win a ticket to the Champions League next season. But what this coach has done now far exceeds expectations. The victory over PSV right at Philips Stadion in round 27 last weekend proved Ajax's revival.

Before this match, PSV were still the defending champions of the tournament. At the beginning of the season, PSV even had a time when they were far ahead of Ajax in the championship race. However, their stable performance since the end of last year has helped Ajax gradually pull away.

They are currently 9 points ahead of second-placed PSV with only 7 rounds left in the league. Given the tradition of the Dutch league, where Ajax or PSV are often too strong for the rest, the championship seems to have been decided.

PSV captain Luuk de Jong admitted: “The nine-point gap is too big. We have to focus on second place and the Champions League spot.” Teammate Noa Lang and coach Bosz also agreed, saying the championship is almost out of reach.

It is important to remember that Ajax's revival did not come from expensive signings. After parting ways with Erik ten Hag and a series of key players in the summer of 2022, Ajax spent almost exclusively on the market. The subsequent departures of the leadership team including CEO Edwin van der Sar and Sporting Director Marc Overmars left Ajax in crisis.

Ability to maneuver

Thanks to Farioli’s ability to manage the old squad, Ajax gradually regained strength. As soon as he took over the club, Farioli realized the core problem: the team’s physical condition was not up to the mark. The coach acted decisively, rotating the squad and putting his trust in young players.

This season, Farioli has used 39 different players in all competitions, 37 of whom have featured in the Eredivisie – a record for the competition. Ajax have never fielded the same starting lineup in consecutive games this season.

Ajax reaped the rewards of putting their faith in young players.

The policy initially drew criticism from the Dutch press, but positive results quickly quelled any doubts. Ajax have won 10 of their 11 Eredivisie games since mid-December, amassing 31 points – eight more than any other team.

Farioli’s success has not come from big-money signings. Of the 13 Ajax players who have played over 1,000 minutes this season, only Davy Klaassen and Bertrand Traore are new, both arriving on free transfers.

He optimised the old squad, exploiting the potential of forgotten names. Youri Baas is a typical example. From left-back, Farioli turned him into a central defender in a defensive trio. This helped Baas earn his first call-up to the Dutch national team in March.

Jordan Henderson has also been a key part of Farioli’s system. The 34-year-old midfielder leads the team in ball recoveries (5.7 per 90) and successful passes into the opposition half (39.7 per 90). Ajax are unbeaten in 15 Eredivisie games in which Henderson has started (11 wins, 4 draws), earning him a return to the England squad under Thomas Tuchel.

Farioli abandoned Ajax’s famous total football style in favour of a solid, defence-first style. They had less possession (57.6% – their lowest since 2015/16), but achieved a passing accuracy of 86.8% – their highest since 2011/12.

They don’t press too hard, allowing opponents to complete an average of 12.1 passes before they intervene, but their tight defensive organisation makes it difficult for opponents to create quality chances. Ajax have conceded the fewest goals in the league (20), a stark contrast to last season’s 61 – the second worst tally in the club’s history.

With seven games remaining, Farioli's Ajax have the chance to erase the memory of last season's disaster. If he wins, he will become the youngest coach to win the Eredivisie, surpassing Aad de Mos' record in 1982/83. From the ashes, Farioli has not only revived Ajax but also brought them closer to the 37th domestic championship in the club's history.

Source: https://znews.vn/tu-dong-tro-tan-ajax-da-tro-lai-post1542632.html