Overmand by emotions, Ajax coach Francesco Faroli thanked the fans on Sunday after the 2-0 win on FC Twente, in the knowledge that PSV still won the national title. “It hurts, but we never calculated richly,” said captain Jordan Henderson.
For a moment Ajax coach Farioli hesitates when he is pushed forward in the Johan Cruijff Arena to thank the supporters. Despite the victory over FC Twente, Ajax has definitively lost the certainly seeming national title on PSV. But the hard core chants its name and the tears with Farioli Biggelen down his cheeks. “This team had earned a prize,” he says later.
Upon leaving the field, Fararoli again breaks him as captain Henderson. “The manager has given everything for the team and the players did everything for him,” says 34-year-old Brit in the catacombs of the Johan Cruijff Arena. “It hurts that we were so close to the championship. But the applause and the chants for our coach and the players illustrate the appreciation of the fans.”
After the 0-2 victory at PSV at the end of March, no one in Eindhoven still believed in prolongation of the national title. At Ajax, nobody calculated, says Henderson. “I knew it wasn’t over. We also stood nine points at PSV. I had to think about the 2013/2014 season at Liverpool, when we also saw the title slip through our hands in the last games. Football is so unpredictable.”
During the title race a few moments were decisive in recent weeks, says Henderson. The 2-3 from Noa Lang for PSV against Feyenoord in the 99th minute was a mental sacrifice for Ajax. The team then collapsed under the pressure and lost no chance with 0-3 against NEC. “After that late victory for PSV you go on the field with a different feeling,” says Henderson. “You also noticed a certain resignation with the public.”
Faroli emotional after missing title: ‘Sometimes giving is not enough’
‘2-2 in Groningen was a huge blow’
On Wednesday, the Nekslag followed in the Euroborg, when Ajax also lost the last tip of PSV after the late 2-2 of FC Groningen. “That was a huge blow,” Henderson acknowledged. “And yet we got up again. And to be honest, we also won competitions that we might have losed.”
After the victory over FC Twente, the Chagrin at the supporters of Ajax disappeared remarkably quickly. It feels on Sunday in the sold -out Johan Cruijff Arena as if the love for the club wins the grief for the missing of the national title, says Henderson. According to him, there was simply not there.
“I am empty and disappointed. But I also know that we could not have asked anything of these players anymore. We have done everything for each other, until the last day of play. There is a completely different team with a different mindset than when I came to Ajax during the winter break. Thanks to Ajax I also returned to the English team. I am proud that I was allowed to be the leader of this selection.”
Future Henderson and Faroli uncertain
Yet his future is uncertain. Henderson doubts whether he will return to his family in England or tierce it in Amsterdam for another year. “Playing in the Champions League with Ajax is tempting.” But the ball is also at the club, says the captain.
The management of Ajax has had to cut back considerably, Henderson notes. During the winter break, technical director Alex Kroes guided several players to the exit. Henderson seemed on his way to AS Monaco, but the routinier remained in Amsterdam.
“The club still has to make certain choices because of the financial situation. We also experienced that pressure as players. Things that are not normal happened. There will be many more conversations this summer. It will partly depend on the club if I will stay.”
The same applies to Faroli, although the 36-year-old coach still has a contract for two years. Farioli and the management would not be in line with the vision of the future. Ajax is waiting for a transformation again and the question is with which selection the Italian can enter the Champions League next season.
‘Club has color again on its cheeks’
Whether he stays? “If the band I feel with the club continues,” says Farioli, Sunday evening in the Johan Cruijff Arena. In the press room his voice breaks when he describes his sense of the players. “That is so deep! It goes much further than the relationship between coach and selection.”
The tribute of the fans after the victory over FC Twente gives him the idea that the resurrection of Ajax also passed second place. “When I came to the future for the first time, everything seemed gray.”
“Now the club has color again. We fought with PSV until the last day, which had 35 points more than we were last season.”
Farioli is silent for a moment and wipes the tears from his eyes. “The tank is completely empty,” he says, after a short break. “I asked the players to give everything against FC Twente one more time. And they did that. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough for the title. It hurts that we have no trophy in our hands. But I don’t regret anything.”
Overcome with Emotion, Ajax coach Francesco Fararian thanked the fans on Sunday after the 2-0 Victory about FC Twente, Knowing That PSV Had Still Won the National Title. “It Hurts, But We Never Counted Ourselves Rich,” Said Captain Jordan Henderson.
Ajax coach Fararian Hesitates for a moment as he is pushed forward in the Johan Cruijff Arena to Thank the supporters. Despite the Victory about FC Twente, Ajax Has definitely Lost the Seemingly Certain National Title to PSV. But the hard core chants his name and tears well up in Farioli’s eyes. “This team deserved a prize,” he says later.
When Leaving the Field, Fararian breaks down again as captain Henderson Hugs Him. “The manager Has Given Everything for the Team and the Players Did Everything for Him,” Says the 34-year-old Brit in the Catacombs of the Johan Cruijff Arena. “It hurts that we were so close to the championship. But the applause and chants for our coach and the players illustrate the appreciation of the fans.”
After the 0-2 Victory at PSV at the End of March, No One in Eindhoven Beliebed in a Continuation of the National Title. At Ajax, on the other hand, no one counted Themselves Rich, Says Henderson. “I knew it was over. We were also nine points behind psv. I had to think of the 2013/2014 season at liverpool, when we also saw the title slip through our hands in the last games. Football is so unpredictable.”
Duration the Title Race, a Few Moments Were Decisive in recent Weeks, Says Henderson. The 2-3 by Noa Lang for PSV Against Feyenoord in the 99th Minute was, Accordination to Him, A Mental Blow for Ajax. The team then Succumbed to the Pressure and Lost 0-3 Against NEC. “After that late Victory for PSV, you take to the field with a different faith,” Says Henderson. “You also noticed a Certain resignation among the public.”
FAROLI Emotional After Missing Title: ‘Sometimes Giving Everything is not Enough’
‘2-2 in Groningen was a huge blow’
On Wednesday, the Final Blow Followed in the Euroborg, when Ajax also Lost the Last Point Lead about PSV After the Late 2-2 Draw Against FC Groningen. “That was a huge blow,” Henderson acknowled. “And yet we got up again. And to be honest, we also won games that we probably should have lost.”
After the Victory about FC Twente, The Chagrin Among Ajax supporters has disappeared remarkable quickly. On Sunday in the Sold-out Johan Cruijff Arena, It Feels As If The Love For The Club is winning over the Sadness of Missing Out on the National Title, Henderson States. Accordance to him, there was simply nothing more in it.
“I’m empty and disappointed. But I also know that we couldn’t have asked anything more from these players. We have done everything for each other, until the last match day. There is a completely different team with a different mindset than when I came to Ajax last year during the winter Break.
Future Henderson and Fararian Uncertain
Yet His Future is Uncertain. Henderson Doubts Whether He will return to his family in England or Stay in Amsterdam for Another Year. “Playing in the Champions League with Ajax is tempting.” But the ball is also in the club’s court, says the captain.
The Ajax Board Has had to cut considentbly, Henderson Notes. Duration the Winter Break, Technical Director Alex Kroes Led Several Players to the Exit. Henderson Seemed on his way to a monaco, but the Veteran Still Stayed in Amsterdam.
“The Club Still Has To Make Certain Choices Due to the Financial Situation. We as Players have also experienced that pressure. Things happened that are not normal. There will be many more talks this summer. It will partly deping on the club WHETER I Stay.”
The same applies to faroli, although the 36-year-old coach still has a two-year contract. Farioli and the Board Are Not Exactly On The Same Page About The Vision for The Future. Ajax is Facing Another Transformation and the Question is with which selection the Italian Will Be Able to Enter the Champions League Next Season.
‘Club Has Color on its cheeks again’
Whether he Stays? “If the bond I feel with the club continues to exist, yes,” Says Fararian, Sunday Evening in the Johan Cruijff Arena. In The Press Room, his voice breaks as he describes his feelings for the players. “That is so deep! It goes much further than the relationship between coach and selection.”
The tribute from the fans After the Victory about FC Twente Gives Him the Idea That The Resurrection of Ajax Has also Succeeded With A Second Place. “When I First Came to the The Future Training Complex, Everything Seemed Gray.”
“Now the Club Has Color on its cheeks again. We fought until the last day with psv, who had 35 points more than us last season.”
Farioli is Silent for a Moment and Wipes the Tears From His Eyes. “The tank is completely empty,” he says, after a short puse. “I asked the players to give every thing time against fc twente. And they did. And they did. Unfortunately it was not enough for the title. It hurts that we don’t have a trophy in our hands. But I don’t regret anything.”