Ajax reportedly headed for biggest financial loss in 125-year history | OneFootball

According to VoetbalPrimeur and Voetbal International, Ajax are heading for possibly the biggest financial loss in the club’s history. Things are going particularly badly in the area of ​​transfers. However, the Amsterdammers are climbing out of trouble after last season and are scoring excellently in other areas.

As Ajax publish their figures during the season, there’s always a chance to find interesting insight. ‘The good news: just like the commercially strong Manchester United, the poor performances have not led to a dip in income’, writes Voetbal International. Ajax earned almost 97 million euros in the first half of the season. ‘Fifteen million more than last season.’

This is partly due to the new structure of the European competitions. After all, UEFA made a larger prize pool available, and the number of matches also increased. ‘But that is not the entire explanation. The upward trends were also visible in ticket sales, the rental of business seats, skyboxes, partnerships and merchandising.’ In that respect, the Eredivisie leaders are doing well this season.

‘Dramatic for an Ajax director’

While the club may be alright in the grand scheme of things, there are still a few areas that require improvement. VI continues: ‘When the market closed, Alex Kroes had only collected 5.6 million in sales profit: dramatic for an Ajax director. It was 10 years ago that Ajax recorded such a moderate return.’ A lack of ‘favourable deals’ can quickly lead to major losses at Ajax, it is said.

‘Because they have invested considerably over the years. As a result, Ajax is writing off forty to 45 million euros this season on historical transfer fees. Ajax must earn the same amount in sales profit to break even with the transfer balance.’

‘Biggest financial loss in club history’

Ajax seems to be posting a loss this year, with the club falling short in terms of both transfer and operational results. ‘The figures could still be polished up by selling players at the start of the summer window, before the end of the financial year (the 30th of June).’

If that does not work, Ajax will end up ‘tens of millions’ in the red. VI concludes, ‘This is how Ajax could possibly present the biggest financial loss in its 125-year history next fall, after celebrating the championship and returning to the Champions League.’

‘All in all, a lot of money was squandered during the administrative and sporting crisis, but in any case it was all personal money that was wasted.’ The Amsterdammers did not borrow at high interest rates and did not ‘jump into the arms’ of a sheikh. ‘In that respect, Ajax has not only proven to be resilient on the field.’

GBeNeFN | Max Bradfield