COMMENT: For years, if somebody wanted to know how to run a football club, they'd look to Ajax as an example. But now, all they're showing the world is what not to do.
In Greek mythology, Ajax the Great is one of the most formidable warriors of his time, so strong that no opponent he faces is able to bring him down.
He dies as a young man nevertheless though, choosing to take his own life after the armour of the legendary Achilles is given to Odysseus instead of him towards the end of the Trojan War.
It's not one of his many enemies that defeats him, but himself, and the same thing can be said about the football club named after him at the moment.
With their reputation, youth academy and financial muscle, Ajax have the means to dominate Dutch football when operating well and did just that for four seasons from 2018 to 2022, winning six trophies including all three available league titles in that period (the 2019/20 campaign wasn't completed due to the pandemic).
With Erik ten Hag emerging as one of the best managers in the world and Director of Football Marc Overmars making the right calls time and time again in the transfer market, things couldn't have been going any better. But then on one cold February night, the bubble began to burst.
On that night, it was announced that Overmars was found to have sent a number of inappropriate text messages and photos to female members of staff and had thus been relieved of his duties. Parting ways with him was, of course, the right decision, but it was followed by a string of bad ones that would turn dominance into disaster.
CEO Edwin van der Sar opted against quickly finding a direct replacement for Overmars, instead handing the duties over to Technical Manager Gerry Hamstra
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