AMSTERDAM, Oct 30: For the first time ever, Dutch giants Ajax dropped to the last place in the Eredivisie, the Dutch topflight, after an emphatic 5-2 loss to PSV in Eindhoven.
The crisis at Ajax has been brewing for a few months, with the dismissal of coach Maurice Steijn last Monday marking the latest chapter.
Against PSV, interim coach Hedwiges Maduro took the helm for the second time, having previously overseen a 2-0 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Europa League on Thursday.
Surprisingly, Ajax was the better side in the first half. Striker Brian Brobbey squandered two significant chances early on. However, a shot from Branco van den Boomen put Ajax ahead in the 10th minute, only for Hirving Lozano to equalize ten minutes later.
Brobbey redeemed himself in the 40th minute, converting a pass from captain Steven Bergwijn. His effort ensured Ajax led 2-1 at half-time.
The dynamic shifted in the second half. PSV coach Peter Bosz introduced Ismael Saibari and Guus Til, allowing the home side to dominate. Luuk de Jong found the net following a Lozano effort that struck the post. Subsequently, Saibari scored, and two more goals from Lozano secured a convincing 5-2 victory for PSV.
This defeat marked Ajax’s fifth consecutive loss in the Eredivisie, a first in the club’s history. They now sit at the bottom of the league table, another unfortunate first.
League leaders PSV maintained their impeccable record, boasting 10 victories and accumulating 30 points.
Van’t Schip new Ajax manager
Ajax Amsterdam have appointed John van’t Schip as interim head coach, a week after they parted ways with Maurice Steijn, the Eredivisie club announced on Monday.
Steijn’s time at the club came to an end after a run of four league defeats left Ajax second from bottom. On Sunday they dropped to the bottom spot after a 5-2 defeat by league leaders PSV Eindhoven.“Ajax appoints John van’t Schip as interim head coach. “Van’t Schip and Ajax have agreed to him stepping into a function in technical management from 1 July 2024.”The former Ajax player signs a contract with the club running from 30 October 2023 until 30 June 2025,” the club said. The 59-year-old began his playing career at Ajax and spent 11 years at the club, later returning as assistant manager to Marco Van Basten and was interim manager in 2009. (IANS)
