Ajax Director Confirms Talks With Erik ten Hag Following Farioli’s Exit

‎Ajax technical director Alex Kroes told ESPN that he has been in contact with Erik ten Hag about a possible return to the club.

‎Ajax is seeking a new manager following the sudden departure of Francesco Farioli. The Italian coach, aged 36, left due to disagreements with the club’s executive board.

‎Erik ten Hag’s name quickly emerged in the media as a potential replacement for Farioli, who announced his decision to leave the club after Sunday’s 2-0 victory over FC Twente.

‎Ten Hag previously managed Ajax for four and a half years, from January 2018 to May 2022, during which he secured six trophies.

‎”Yesterday, after the game (against FC Twente), I had a short conversation with Erik (ten Hag),” Kroes told ESPN.

‎”He indicated that he’s busy with his future. I asked if he wanted to drink a cup of coffee with me soon – I’ll leave what he said in the middle.”

‎Ten Hag’s name, along with that of Go Ahead Eagles manager Paul Simonis, is on the reported two-man shortlist for the Ajax job, according to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.

‎”All sorts of names are appearing in the media again, and that’s rightly so, fun, and handy because it might be of some use to me, but the challenge only gets bigger,” Kroes continued.

‎”It’s a pity because, on that front, it feels like we have to start all over again. Like we went one year back in time. We have to find a new staff, we get a lot of loanees back, so it’s going to be a long, tough summer for us.”