Ajax have appointed Jordi Cruyff as their new technical director, turning to the son of club icon Johan Cruyff as they attempt to steady the club after a turbulent period on and off the pitch.
The 51-year-old signed a contract running until June 2028 at the Johan Cruyff Arena following Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Go Ahead Eagles. Ajax had announced last month that they had reached a verbal agreement with Cruyff, with the role viewed internally as a cornerstone of the club’s rebuild.
“It’s very special to be here and to sign my contract. In the stadium named after my father and at the club that has been important in my life since I was young,” Cruyff said in a club statement. “Starting in February, I will be fully committed to Ajax. This gives me a great sense of responsibility and pride.
“Ajax is a unique club with a rich history, and I will do everything I can to add a new, successful chapter to it together.”
One of Cruyff’s immediate priorities will be the appointment of a new head coach. Ajax dismissed John Heitinga in November, with Fred Grim installed as interim manager until the end of the season after Erik ten Hag ruled out a return.
By Ajax’s own lofty standards, the past three years have been bruising. There has been some improvement domestically this season, with the club currently third in the Eredivisie, but they remain 18 points adrift of leaders PSV Eindhoven. European and cup form has been more troubling. Ajax lost their first five Champions League matches and last week suffered a record 6-0 defeat to AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch Cup.
Cruyff, born in Amsterdam, came through Ajax’s youth system before moving to Barcelona with his father in 1988. He progressed through Barcelona’s academy and went on to play for the first team, later representing Manchester United, Celta Vigo, Deportivo Alaves and Espanyol. He earned nine caps for the Netherlands.
Following his playing career, Cruyff moved into coaching and football administration, with spells in charge of Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ecuador, before returning to Barcelona as a technical adviser and sporting director in 2021. His most recent role was as a technical adviser to the Indonesian Football Association.
