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Ajax suspends three-man coaching team after disappointing performance

December 21, 2017
Photo: Mister No via Wikimedia Commons

Amsterdam football club Ajax has suspended head coach Marcel Keizer, assistant coach Hennie Spijkerman and personal trainer Dennis Bergkamp and is to talk to all three about ending their contracts.

The club said in a statement on Thursday it did not have enough confidence that the trio could achieve Ajax’ ambitions. The club’s failures this season – they did not qualify for European competition and on Wednesday night were eliminated from the KNVB Cup by Twente – are also reasons for the rethink.

Keizer was appointed chief coach after Peter Bosz went to Dortmund after just 174 days with the club, despite having a two-year contract.

‘We had a difficult summer and a messy start to the season,’ club general manager Edwin van der Sar said. ‘In terms of sporting achievements, been eliminated from Europe was the biggest blow.’

Van der Sar said he regretted the situation deeply and the decision had not been taken lightly.

Ajax, currently second in the Eredivisie behind PSV with 38 points, play Willem II on Sunday in the last match before the winter break.

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