Technical director Alex Kroes believes that Ajax must finish in the top two clubs in the Eredivisie next season. This would mean the club would qualify directly for the Champions League, just like last season.
“A must is that we qualify directly for the Champions League, so finish in the top two. But ultimately, Ajax wants to compete for the title and preferably win it,” Kroes said on Wednesday on the Amsterdam club’s website.
Ajax missed out on the title last season in the final phase to PSV. A day after the last matchday, trainer Francesco Farioli announced his departure.
John Heitinga is the successor to the Italian who left for FC Porto. “I have a very good feeling about it,” Kroes says. “I think it was fantastic defensively last year and that we could still take a step forward offensively.”
During this transfer period, Ajax has so far only brought in Czech goalkeeper Vítezslav Jaros, who is on loan from Liverpool. According to Kroes, the Amsterdam club is close to the arrival of the next acquisition.
“We are very close to a great transfer of a player from Spain. We are very happy with that,” the director probably refers to Spanish winger Raúl Moro from Real Valladolid.
‘It’s really puzzling’
“We were able to get a first goalkeeper. I am also very satisfied with that. We are still busy with a boy who sooner or later can take over from him,” Kroes continues. He probably refers to the nineteen-year-old Sparta Prague goalkeeper Joeri Heerkens.
Ajax must say goodbye to Jordan Henderson. According to various media, the captain has indicated that he is leaving the club for financial reasons.
“It’s really puzzling, step by step,” says Kroes. “Get rid of one or two players and then be able to fill in something again. The staff is aware of the sporting wishes, but also the financial possibilities and impossibilities that are linked to this. That is a very nice game that we are working on every day.”