The Supervisory Board of AJAX

I regularly receive e-mails and letters related to AJAX. Most writers still think I have something to do with AJAX. That I know everyone there and that I receive v row tickets for every match. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

I left Ajax, after working as a physiotherapist for 15 seasons, in a not "so pleasant way". That was October 1972. My last injured player was Jan Mulder with his knee injury.

Back then, AJAX was still an "ordinary" football club with a board made up of people who really understood football and did everything they could to keep the club at the top of football. The best chairman I experienced was Jaap van Praag. His slogan was: "Our capital should not be in the bank, but in the pitch". That was then. AJAX had a treasurer Henk Timman, he worked at the tax office, He took care of the finances.

Today, Ajax is a listed company. One's hands are tied. And that often clashes with real football. Technical matters are looked after by Hamstra and Huntelaar. But....every decision they take has to be approved by the Supervisory Board. Are they former footballers, people who have followed a future player for AJAX? No they are directors who have to look after the money. On the board are Leen Meyaard born 25 May 1961, Annette Morsman born 23 August 1967, Ernst Ligthard (lawyer) born 2 June 1969, Peter Mensing born 12 March 1960 and Georgette Schlock born 4 August 1971 and Danny Blind, technical affairs.

At AJAX, if one wants to buy a player selected by Hamstra and Huntelaar, after careful scouting, the amount to be paid must first be approved by the SB and Susan Lenderink, CFO (chief financial officer). This regularly clashes with the 2 Hs. They then decide whether it is 'necessary' and if not then the sale does not go ahead. I disagree.

There were also emails about Ten Hag. "Whether I agree with him taking players with him? I think a coach is obviously allowed to leave if he can improve. It's the same in business. But I don't think it's a good thing that he then also takes the best players with him to his new club. He then weakens his old employer. Of course, in this case AJAX receives a lot of money, but then loses one or more players. I think that's a bad thing. But don't forget football has become big business.

Finally, I never got another (advisory) position at AJAX. I was not even allowed there for the first few years, by the then board. Now I have a permanent place as a member of Lucky AJAX.

And it is true was many say: "AJAX is in your heart". And that remains.

Until the next column.