Eredivisie End of Season Review: Ajax | OneFootball

Finish position: 2nd

Overview:

Ajax needed seven points from their final five games to secure a first league title in three years. However, what followed was remarkable. As seen in the form table below, Ajax went winless in four games, squandering their nine-point lead at the top, whilst title-chasers PSV secured a maximum 12 points from 12 to go top, ahead of the final day of the season. Amongst those results was the disastrous second half performance at home to NEC, and conceding that 99th minute equaliser at FC Groningen ultimately cost them a record breaking 37th league title. Ajax’s win against Twente on the final day wasn’t enough as PSV did their job, leaving the Ajax players heartbroken.

Ajax’s last five matches in the 24/25 Eredivisie season (left to right). Courtesy of FotMob.

This will go down as one of the greatest title collapses in Eredivisie history, and, in the fallout, head coach Francesco Farioli has left the club after just one season. Since Erik Ten Hag’s departure, the club has been unable to replicate the level of success it has experienced in the previous decade. Despite the collapse, this has been a year of progress of Ajax, who finished 2nd, their highest since 2022, and are welcoming Champions League football back into the Johan Cruyff arena after a brief hiatus. This must be taken into account, however, due to the sheer nature of how the season ended, there is feeling of bitter disappointment in Amsterdam right now.

In the other competitions, Ajax didn’t fair too well. They were knocked out by Eintracht Frankfurt in the Round of 16 in the Europa League, and also succumbed to a round of 16 defeat against AZ Alkmaar in the KNVB cup.

Player of the Season: Kenneth Taylor

Jordan Henderson, Remko Pasveer and Davy Klassen were all senior players who performed well and took leadership roles. However, Kenneth Taylor’s development has become fundamental in this Ajax side, having missed just one game in the league campaign. Voted as the fans Player of the Year, Taylor has grown throughout the season, and is now one of the most accomplished midfielders in the league. In the Europa League, the 23-year-old scored important goals throughout their qualifying campaign and the league phase. Domestically, he had 15 goal contributions and was a real driving force through the midfield, even playing out on the left wing when required.

Young Player of the Season: Jorrel Hato

The 19-year-old has been consistent at the back, starting 30 out of 34 league matches. Hato has emerged as a very promising left back, recording two goals and six assists, but also showed spells of maturity when being tasked with playing centre back. Other contenders include Anton Gaaei and Youri Baas, however Hato’s reliability at such a young age is an incredibly trait to have.

Summer needs:

Well, firstly, Ajax need a manager. Farioli’s departure means Ajax need to act quickly on bringing in a manager that can compete with Peter Bosz’s PSV and the emerging rebuild taking place at Feyenoord, overseen by Robin van Persie.

As reported by CaughtOffside, they may also need to ensure they don’t lose the services of Hato, who is currently linked with Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal. Several reports also hint at the departure of Brian Brobbey and Kenneth Taylor.

Looking at incomings, Ajax have the option to buy goalkeeper Matheus (33) following his loan spell from Braga. Reinforcements will be necessary in midfield, with Jordan Henderson and Davy Klassen ageing, despite the fact that Klassen is in talks to extend his contract alongside Pasveer. Paxten Aaronson has shone in the Eredivisie during his time on loan at Utrecht, and would solve a lot of Ajax’s problems. AZ Alkmaar’s Sven Mijans is a dutch alternative who would add depth and quality.

Attacking signings are also needed, with no targets being linked yet. Finally, if Jorrel Hato does leave for big money, a mix of emergence from the Jong Ajax set up and smart recruitment will be needed to replace his value to the side.

Grade: B-

GBENeFN | Samuel Fabre