EUROPEAN CUP FIRST ROUND CELTIC v AJAX
EUROPEAN CUP FIRST ROUND - CELTIC v AJAX
of the experience of Celtic, A.C. Milan, Feyen-
oord and Benfica, to play in the World Club
Championship. In 1972 they bowed to pres
sure from their fans and the press and met
Independiente, whom they defeated to take
their fourth trophy ot the season.
In 1973 Ajax followed Real Madrid to
become only the second club to win the
European Cup for the third time in succession
(although the feat was later emulated by
Bayern Munich) when they defeated Juventus
1-0. The following season saw the club repre
sented by ten players in the Dutch National
Squad which eventually competed in the
World Cup final of 1974.
Following these great years Ajax went into
decline. The players who had formed the basis
of the side began to depart after the 1974
World Cup. Johnny Rep joined Valencia, Wim
Suurbier went to Schalke, Gerry Muhren to
Betis Seville, Arie Haan to Anderlecht and
Johan Neeskens to Barcelona. But undoub
tedly the greatest loss was that of their inspira
tional genius Johan Cruyff who joined Barce
lona and sparked off this mass exodus
The next few years saw widespread changes
in the club on the playing, coaching and
administrative fronts and saw only one major
championship win and no cup wins. Then the
appointment of trainer-coach Cor Brom
provided a double in 1979. However Cor Brom
left the club prematurely at the beginning of
the following season. He was succeeded by
Leo Beenhakker who led the team to the
championship and the semi-finals of the Euro
pean Cup where Ajax lost to Nottingham
Forest.
Beenhakker was manager when Ajax ap
pointed Johan Cruyff as 'Technical Adviser'
and virtually became Cruyff's assistant. When
Cruyff left to play in Spain Ajax appointed the
present manager Kurt Under. This was Ajax's
eighth managerial change since their Euro
pean treble. This turnover of management
personnel was matched only by the changes in
the playing staff. Of the squad which reached
the European Cup semi-final two years ago
only three players remain, Schrivers, Schoen
aker and Lerby.
15
Ajax of Amsterdam
A view of the giant Olympic Stadium, Amsterdam, which can take 65,000 spectators.
