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 Farioli Thanked the Fans on Sunday After the 2-0 Victory about FC Twente, Knowing That PSV Still won the National Title. “It Hurts, But We Never Considered 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 stream down faroli’s cheeks. “This team deserved a prize,” he says later.
Upon Leaving the Field, Fararian breaks down again as captain Henderson Hugs Him. “The manager Gave Everything for the Team and the Players Did Everything for Him,” Says the 34-year-old Brit in the Catacoms 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 Prolonging the National Title. At Ajax, on the other hand, no one considers 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 fingers in the last games. Football is so unpredictable.”
Duration the Title Race, a Few Moments Were Decisive in recent Weeks, Says Henderson. Noa Lang’s 2-3 for PSV Against Feyenoord in the 99th Minute, Accordination to Him, A Mental Blow for Ajax. The team then Succumbed to the Pressure and Lost 0-3 to NEC Without A Chance. “After that late victory for psv, you enter the field with a different faith,” Says Henderson. “You also noticed a Certain resignation among the public.”
FAROLI Emotional After Missed Title: ‘Sometimes Giving Everything is not Enough’
‘2-2 in Groningen was a huge blow’
On Wednesday, the Fatal Blow Followed in the Euroborg, when Ajax also Lost the Last Point of 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 matches that we probably should have lost.”
After the Victory about FC Twente, The Chagrin Among Ajax supporters HAS NoticeXy Disappeared Quickly. On Sunday in the Sold-out Johan Cruijff Arena, It Feels As If the Love For The Club Outweighs The Sadness about Missing Out on the National Title, Henderson States. Accordance to him, there was simply no more in it.
“I am empty and disappointed. But I also know that we couldn’t have asked for more from these players. We did 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. Thanks to Ajax I also returned to the English team.
Future of 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 Management Has had significant cuts, Henderson Notes. Duration the Winter Break, Technical Director Alex Kroes Led Several Players to the Exit. Henderson seemed to be on his way to a monaco, but the veteran stayed in Amsterdam after all.
“The Club Still Has to make Certain Choices Because of the Financial Situation. We are also experienced that pressure as players. Things happened that are not normal. There will be many more discussions 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 contract for two years. Farioli and the Management Are Not Exactly On The Same Page About the Vision for the Future. Ajax is Facing Another Transformation and the Question is which squad the Italian Will Be Able to Enter the Champions League with Next Season.
‘Club Has Color in its cheeks again’
Whether he Stays? “If the Bond I Feel With The Club Remains, Yes,” Says Faroli, 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 Been Successful with A Second Place. “When I First Came to Training Complex De Toekomst, Everything Seemed Gray.”
“Now the club Has Color in its cheeks again. We fought until the last day with psv, who had 35 more points than we did 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 have no regrets.”