Ajax set to announce new head coach in upcoming days

Ajax are close to hiring Francesco Farioli to be their next head coach, as the team attempts to rebuild following a dismal season. According to the Telegraph, the Amsterdammers were prepared to give the 35-year-old Italian an agreement for three years to replace Maurice Steijn, who departed in October with the team in the bottom of the Dutch Eredivisie.

Farioli has not played professional football, but he has made an impression throughout his brief managerial stint in Turkey as well as at French top flight club Nice. Kelvin de Lang, head of scouting, and Marijn Beuker, director of football, approached him after Ajax's initial options, former manager Erik ten Hag, who currently is present at Manchester United, and former Chelsea manager Graham Potter, declined the position.

The Cote d'Azur-based club is thought to be willing to arrange a compensation package for Farioli after the league season ends next weekend. Farioli was an unusual decision for a team that stated that it wanted to hire an experienced "preferably Dutch" coach with "Ajax DNA" to steer the boat after a difficult season. However, he is claimed to have impressed Ajax's technical staff alongside his training techniques, work ethic, and attacking attitude.

Taking look at Ajax’s turbulent 2023/2024 football season

Maurice Steijn left in October following only two wins over 12 competitive games, whilst rivals and ultimately crowned winners PSV won the initial nine league games. The club also fired director of football Sven Mislintat after allegations of a conflict of interest in player signings, albeit a further inquiry found no wrongdoing.

Former star John van 't Schip took over after Steijn's departure until the conclusion of the season, leading the club to fifth place, their lowest finish in 24 years. Ajax suffered a second blow in March when its new CEO Alex Kroes had to step down after it was revealed that he had purchased club shares a week before his hiring was announced.