‘Ajax received warnings from Stuttgart about Mislintat’s actions’

Before the reconstruction in recent months, the newspaper spoke with about thirty (former) directors and (former) employees of Ajax and VfB Stuttgart, but also with various agents.

Mislintat was appointed to Ajax in April. Because of the unexpected departure of general manager Edwin van der Sar he was given full control over transfer policy. The last transfer period was one of the most turbulent from the club’s history: almost 110 million euros were invested in twelve new players. After poor results in the competition and news of possible conflicts of interest, Mislintat was fired. According to Ajax, because there was a lack of ‘broad support’ for the technical director.

NRC’s reconstruction shows that Ajax directors knew that they were taking a risk when Mislintat received a contract. People who knew the German from previous positions would have warned the club that he would sometimes be difficult to work with. For example, a (former) employee from Stuttgart, where Mislintat worked between 2019 and 2022, is said to have said that “his image does not correspond to reality” and that “you should not give him too much space.”

‘Own men’

After Edwin van der Sar unexpectedly announces in May that he is leaving and a replacement cannot be found quickly, Mislintat will be given that space at Ajax. In the summer, when the transfer market is running at full speed, this causes unrest, writes NRC.

Mislintat appoints ‘own men’ in both scouting and technical staff. Two old acquaintances from his time at Stuttgart. One of them, Uli Schier, will be given more powers than the scouts who have been working at the club for a long time. They have serious doubts about the purchases that are made and look on in surprise as the Supervisory Board approves all transfer fees.

Tensions also arise between trainer Maurice Steijn and Mislintat. Steijn is committed to the arrival of Nick Oleij, Nicolas Tagliafico and Thiago Almada. Mislintat doesn’t buy any of the three, but goes for Georges Mikautadze, who comes from Metz from the second level of France and must cost 16 million euros. After a heated discussion, they agree that Mislintat will focus on the composition of the selection and Steijn will mainly focus on the line-up.

‘Missed signals’

The fact that things don’t seem to be going well between the two comes not long afterwards, during a press conference after match against Fortuna Sittard (0-0), to light. In the duel with the Limburg low-flyer, in which many new players have to be incorporated, Ajax makes a poor impression.

Steijn hinted afterwards that he had little say in purchasing policy. “We as a staff have put down our ideas, only Sven Mislintat has made different choices,” are the words of the trainer.

The fact that the trainer may not agree is also news to the management and the Supervisory Board at that time. “We may have missed signals,” one of the directors reflects in NRC.

Back to Germany

The situation surrounding Mislintat becomes untenable after it became clear that Mislintat bought left back Borna Sosa on the final day of the transfer period through a German agent’s office, which owns shares in a private company of his own. Ajax has announced that it will have the matter investigated.

A week later, Ajax is beaten in the Classic. The reconstruction now shows that Mislintat is already in the car to Germany the moment that match is stopped due to misconduct by supporters. Later that evening it becomes clear that Mislintat has been fired.