Ajax’ Norwegian football nerd Sivert Mannsverk: ‘I’m not here to shine myself’ | Dutch football

During the tactical training last week, Sivert Mannsverk, starting debutant against FC Utrecht, encouraged his new companions in midfield, Jordan Henderson and Kenneth Taylor. “Chase, attack and don’t look back. I’ve got your back, I’ll handle that. I tell them all the time. When we trust each other in the field, everyone feels free and we get the best out of each other. I’m not here to shine myself, I’m here to be successful together.”

These are not the words of a veteran who comes to Amsterdam after years in top competitions, but also Sivert Mannsverk, a 21-year-old Norwegian midfielder, who has only played for Ajax once before and was replaced prematurely. But as dramatic as that one half against Twente was six months ago, his return against FC Utrecht proved to be just as strong.

Coincidence or not, with Mannsverk back on the midriff, Ajax did not give up tons of space for once. He was replaced with a standing ovation from the audience. England international Henderson was also ecstatic. “Of all my teammates, Jordan has known me the shortest. He also didn’t know it was my home debut. It was a beautiful and emotional moment for me.”

Then Mannsverk suddenly says: “I wasn’t hoping for an interview right now. Don’t get me wrong, but this was only 75 minutes. There’s a chance that I’m already getting hyped based on that, as happened to other guys recently. A few games later they don’t play anymore. It can go that fast. I’m on my guard against that. If I want to become an Ajax player, I have to perform every match. And I actually like being the underdog. Then I can surprise people around me.”

Mannsverk not only looks like an academic, he talks and thinks like one too. Not surprising, for a boy who completed a few courses from a university home study in real estate before his dream transfer. “I am now looking into whether I can take some courses here again. I think it is important to continue to develop myself in addition to football. But of course football comes first. I really want to be successful at Ajax. I was also happy that I could finally show some of my potential against Utrecht.”

Mannsverk had to wait almost six months for that. They felt like they lasted much longer. Barely arriving after his transfer from Molde, Mannsverk had to report to Young Norway. After a few training sessions at Ajax, he experienced his baptism of fire against Twente. The Norwegian purchase also made a lost impression in the dramatic playing team. After rest he did not return. “I was of course very dissatisfied with my own match, but as a team we were just weak.”

The following days were tough, says Mannsverk, also because of the criticism from the outside world. “I just wanted to show what I was capable of. Then I heard, also from friends who were curious about the reactions, that I did not have the level. I also had to carry that with me during my long rehabilitation. It was one of the toughest moments of my career. I had only played in the Norwegian league. Everything was new in Amsterdam. I was helped, but I could hardly expect that from teammates. At that time everyone had their own shit.”

He already played with pain against FC Twente. Then his foot injury turned out to be serious. The initial prognosis: six to eight weeks of recovery. “Then you hope to be back soon. Due to injuries to other midfielders I felt even more opportunities to play. My injury just turned out to be more and more complex. I received several setbacks. Your head wants to play and quickly prove you wrong, but your body tells you otherwise. And you can’t force that. I already knew: this is Ajax. At Molde it might have been eighty percent, but that is not possible at Ajax.”

The fact that Mannsverk is a worrier didn’t make it any easier. “I am a consequence thinker. And yes, then you also have doubts about whether you will still succeed at Ajax. But then I decided: 45 minutes are not going to determine my career at Ajax. Sometimes only hope keeps you going mentally. I drew that from training, where I saw that I had the level, and at Jong Ajax, where I realized that my qualities fit the Ajax system.”

That remains to be seen in the main squad, because his return followed in a system with five defenders. Advantage for Mannsverk: in Norway he already had to switch to a formation with five defenders due to defensive problems. “I remember when I came to Molde three years ago and we conceded a lot of goals. I said to a Swedish teammate: if we make steps defensively, we will win a lot, because we have so much quality up front. We won the double and still talk about that wonderful season. I now have that at Ajax too. Even if we don’t play well for 85 minutes, we can still decide the game.”

The football nerd, as he describes himself, is reflected in this. This is no different at home, says Mannsverk. “I’m concerned about the tactical details. They are part of modern football and ensure that the team with the best players does not always win. At home I watch the Premier League and Champions League a lot. How do world players position themselves compared to my own game. I can also pause matches for that, especially when teams like us play.”

Mannsverk also always watches his own matches. “Purely to be continuously better and tactically challenged. I also need input from the staff. That’s why I spend a lot of time with Hedwiges Maduro,” he points out to the assistant coach, who himself played as a controlling midfielder under Unai Emery, the coach of opponent Aston Villa tonight. “Those matches can be fun. We are the underdog, if that’s what I get from the outside world. But that’s what I like. Nothing is better than being proven wrong when expectations are low.”