Louis van Gaal
Comments

Louis van Gaal would be ideal man to coach Ajax: Van der Vaart

kyle fansler
Louis van Gaal would be ideal man to coach Ajax: Van der Vaart
Louis van Gaal would be ideal man to coach Ajax: Van der Vaart

Louis van Gaal presents an interesting choice to take over the calamitous situation at Ajax. The club’s head coach, Maurice Steijn, is under serious pressure after Ajax suffered an embarrassing moment both on and off the pitch. Eredivisie officials abandoned Ajax’s game against Feyenoord after 56 minutes. Home Ajax supporters launched flares onto the pitch when the team was trailing 3-0. The drubbing at the hands of the club’s biggest rival sent fans over the edge as the Dutch giants sit 14th in the 18-team table.

Former Ajax midfielder Rafael van der Vaart called on Louis van Gaal to return to Ajax as manager. The Dutch boss was the manager when Ajax had its most recent European successes. Ajax won the 1994/95 UEFA Champions League with van Gaal at the helm. Now, van der Vaart said van Gaal can at least provide some advice to turn this dismal Ajax side around.

“In my opinion, he is the ideal man at the moment to help save Ajax,” van der Vaart told Dutch outlet RTL Nieuws.

However, van der Vaart conceded that van Gaal’s current health does not allow him to take a full-time job. At the age of 72, van Gaal has been fighting prostate cancer. The iconic Dutch manager picked up that diagnosis in 2022. It forced the manager to step away from the Dutch squad following the 2022 World Cup. Fortunately, van Gaal said his treatment to fight prostate cancer was successful. However, he is yet to return to management.

Louis van Gaal has history of success with Ajax

Therefore, if van Gaal is unable to serve as a full-time manager, van der Vaart at least hopes the boss can work in a technical role.

Advertisement

His heart is crying, as he said this afternoon,” Van der Vaart said. “But his health does not allow him to have a full-time job. So, in principle, that is a no. But he can certainly give advice. He understands football.”

Ajax sacked Sven Mislintat, the director of football at the club, following the suspension of the Feyenoord contest. That leaves an opening for van Gaal.

Louis van Gaal has more experience than almost any manager in the modern game. With Ajax, he not only won the Champions League Final in 1995. He won the Eredivisie three times. Moreover, he reached the Champions League Final in 1996, only losing to Borussia Dortmund. He helped the Netherlands to a third-place finish at the 2014 World Cup, and he also picked up trophies with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester United as a manager.

Advertisement

Ajax is a mess, and it looks likely to miss out on the Champions League for the second season in a row given its current form.

PHOTO: IMAGO / ANP

200+ Channels With Sports & News
200+ Channels With Sports & News
  • Starting price: $33/mo. for fubo Latino Package
  • Watch Premier League, Liga MX & Copa Libertadores
The New Home of MLS
The New Home of MLS
  • Price: $14.99/mo. for MLS Season Pass
  • Watch every MLS game including playoffs & Leagues Cup
Many Sports & ESPN Originals
Many Sports & ESPN Originals
  • Price: $10.99/mo. (or get ESPN+, Hulu & Disney+ for $14.99/mo.)
  • Features Bundesliga, LaLiga, NWSL, & USL
2,000+ soccer games per year
2,000+ soccer games per year
  • Price: $7.99/mo
  • Features Champions League, Serie A, Europa League & EFL
175 Premier League Games & PL TV
175 Premier League Games & PL TV
  • Starting price: $7.99/mo. for Peacock Premium
  • Watch 175 exclusive EPL games per season
EDITORS’ PICKS
Managers, like players, lose touch and ability as their careers age

Managers, like players, lose touch and ability as their careers age

Celta Vigo sacked Rafa Benitez on Tuesday, and the Champions League winner is out of a job again. Since having domestic success with Valencia and continental triumphs with Liverpool, the Spanish manager has constantly rotated jobs. Since departing Liverpool at the end of the 2009/10 season, Benitez has worked as manager of eight clubs. That […]

Managers, like players, lose touch and ability as their careers age

Managers, like players, lose touch and ability as their careers age

Celta Vigo sacked Rafa Benitez on Tuesday, and the Champions League winner is out of a job again. Since having domestic success with Valencia and continental triumphs with Liverpool, the Spanish manager has constantly rotated jobs. Since departing Liverpool at the end of the 2009/10 season, Benitez has worked as manager of eight clubs. That […]

Ex-Netherlands boss Louis Van Gaal back at Ajax in another role

Ex-Netherlands boss Louis Van Gaal back at Ajax in another role

Louis van Gaal will attempt to pull Ajax out of their present difficulties. The Dutch powerhouses have been off to their worst start in over 60 years and are looking to turn things around. There will be no return to management for the former manager. However, he will serve as an adviser on soccer-related technical […]

How to watch Mexico vs Honduras in the USA: Live Stream and TV for 2025 Gold Cup

How to watch Mexico vs Honduras in the USA: Live Stream and TV for 2025 Gold Cup

Mexico will face Honduras in the 2025 Gold Cup semifinals, with a spot in the final on the line. Soccer fans across the country can watch all the action live through multiple TV broadcasts and major streaming services.

World Soccer Talk © 2025. Made in Florida.

World Soccer Talk, like Futbol Sites, is a company owned by Better Collective. All rights reserved. World Soccer Talk is reader-supported and may earn a commission through our partner links.

Better Collective Logo