Ajax’s Phoenix Moment: From Near-Relegation to the Brink of Glory – Few clubs in football embody the spirit of resurgence quite like Ajax. Two seasons ago, the Amsterdam giants were a shadow of their former selves—flirting with relegation, humiliated by amateur sides, and drowning in chaos. Today, they stand on the precipice of a record-extending 37th Eredivisie title, their revival scripted by an unlikely Italian coach, a revamped squad, and a fanbase that refused to let hope die.
This isn’t just a comeback. This is Ajax rising from the ashes.
The Darkest Days: How Ajax Almost Imploded
Rewind to the 2022-23 season, and Ajax were in freefall. After Erik ten Hag’s departure to Manchester United, the club’s structure crumbled. Key players were sold, replacements failed to deliver, and managerial experiments backfired spectacularly. Alfred Schreuder, Ten Hag’s successor, started strong before a 6-1 Champions League humiliation against Napoli sent the team into a tailspin. Seven winless matches later, he was gone.
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Then came Maurice Steijn. Hired to steady the ship, he instead steered it into an iceberg. By October 2023, Ajax were dead last in the Eredivisie—a surreal sight for a club that once dominated European football. The unthinkable happened when they were knocked out of the Dutch Cup by amateurs USV Hercules, a result so shocking it was dubbed the biggest upset in the competition’s 126-year history.
The low point? A 6-0 demolition by Feyenoord, a defeat so brutal it felt like the end of an era. Fans revolted, players looked lost, and the board scrambled for answers.
The Turning Point: Farioli’s Gamble Pays Off
Enter Francesco Farioli. At just 34 years old, the Italian was a bold, unproven choice. Critics questioned his lack of experience at a top club, but Ajax’s hierarchy saw something else—a modern tactician with fresh ideas.
Farioli didn’t try to replicate Ajax’s famed Total Football. Instead, he prioritized defensive solidity, squad rotation, and relentless fitness. The result? A team that no longer collapses under pressure.
This season, Ajax have used 39 different players, a testament to Farioli’s adaptability. While purists grumbled about the departure from tradition, the results spoke for themselves: 13 wins in their last 14 league games, including double victories over Feyenoord and PSV.
Henderson’s Leadership and the New Mentality
Another key piece of the puzzle? Jordan Henderson. The former Liverpool captain arrived in January 2024, bringing much-needed experience and grit. While some questioned his move to the Eredivisie, Henderson’s influence in the dressing room has been undeniable.
“He’s a winner,” Farioli said recently. “When he speaks, the young players listen.”
Henderson’s presence has helped stabilize a squad that was once mentally fragile. Now, Ajax grind out wins even when they’re not at their best—a trait that defines champions.
Five Finals Left: The Title Within Reach
With a nine-point lead over PSV and just five games remaining, Ajax need only seven more points to seal the title. They could even lift the trophy as early as April 27 if they beat Utrecht this weekend and other results go their way.
“We have five finals left,” Farioli declared after last week’s win over Willem II. “We’ve already secured Champions League qualification, but we want more. We want to give our fans the title they deserve.”
What This Triumph Would Mean for Ajax
For a club that once feared irrelevance, this title would be more than just silverware—it would be validation. Proof that Ajax can still compete, rebuild, and return stronger.
Former Ajax star Ronald de Boer summed it up perfectly: “They do win, but as an Ajax supporter, you never know which way it’s going to go.” That unpredictability has made this season thrilling, but one thing is now certain: Ajax are back.
John van ‘t Schip, last season’s caretaker manager, put it best: “If you can beat Feyenoord and PSV twice, you are the deserved champion.”
And deserved or not, one thing is undeniable—Ajax’s resurrection is complete. The phoenix has risen. Now, the celebrations await.
