AFC Ajax in focus
Dutch champions Ajax are aiming to make
it THREE consecutive European Cup final
appearances - despite the fact they are
going through a transitional period.
So far in the UEFA CHAMPIONS
LEAGUE they have picked up six points
with wins over Auxerre and Rangers.
But Ajax are a club who are chang
ing their ways; team, stadium and, it
seems, manager. LOUIS VAN GAAL
recently announced he'll step down at
the end of the season.
Van Gaal has ensured they remain
at the forefront of Dutch - and European
- football, since his appointment five
years ago.
As a player, he lined up for Ajax as
well as a host of other sides including
Royal Antwerp and Sparta Rotterdam.
But it is with Ajax he has utilised his
expertise, building up a magnificent
young side who, with a few old heads
pitched in, have been nothing short of
sensational.
Van Gaal's problem at the start of
the season was that he'd lost 11 players
who were ever-present during the
1994/95 campaign.
The fact the side left the De Meer
Stadium and moved into the 51,000
capacity Amsterdam Arena is
possibly another reason
why they have floundered
in the league so far... but
the signs are they're getting
better.
The Ajax Soccer School is
still doing wonders at grass
roots level and although it has
also moved from its old site, it
12
Founded: 1900
Head Coach: Louis van Gaal
President: Michael van Praag
Secretary: Gerard Holsheimer
Captain: Danny Blind
Club records: Sjaak Swart (463
matches), Johan Cruyff (205 goals)
Other sports: None
Stadium: Amsterdam Arena
Ground capacity: 51,200 (all-seated)
Record attendance: 49,000 (v AC
Milan on August 8,1996)
Pitch size: 105m x 69m
still operates its successful policy.
Without a doubt AFC Ajax have
began building for the future.
But van Gaal must have been sick at
seeing quality players leave the club. Last
season Edgar Davids, Michael Reizeger
and Nwankwo Kanu all moved on.
Regardless of their departure, Ajax
still have quality in their ranks with the
likes of the brothers, FRANK and
RONALD DE BOER (pictured right),
MARCIO SANTOS and goal king
PATRICK KLUIVERT (pictured below
with Jari Litmanen).
The De Boer pairing have been a
sensation and have played well over 500
games for their club.
Brazilian Santos
has spent time
playing in France
and Italy and Kluivert,
who has been injured lately,
is expected to be fit for
tonight's game.
Two players who wreaked
havoc at the Amsterdam
