Fans of ‘talent factory’ AZ and ‘mud-slinging’ Ajax are preparing for the European group stage

“I’m afraid we won’t survive this group stage,” says a pessimistic Bart Elshof when it comes to Ajax’s chances in the Europa League. The supporter of the Amsterdam club is very disappointed with the current chaos. “The only luck is that Olympique Marseille is also on fire. I just came back from Paris and that was literally the headline of a French newspaper. So it will soon be a fight between the lame and the blind.”

“Beautiful jars”

While confidence has dropped below zero among Ajax players, the sun is shining in Alkmaar. “Last weekend you noticed that everyone in the stadium was enthusiastic,” said Tom Leering. The 28-year-old AZ fan from Heiloo has had a season ticket for almost twenty years. “We are currently watching AZ with great pleasure and I expect a few nice games in the Conference League.”

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“Our group app with Ajax fans exploded when the news about Sven Mislintat became known,” says Elshof about the shady deals of Ajax’s technical director. “I thought Mislintat seemed quite sympathetic, but this is just really stupid.”

Elshof: “At the start of the season I was quite hopeful. With Mislintat there seemed to be a breath of fresh air blowing through the club and selection. I also shared the opinion that selection should be continued. Only since the mud-slinging between Mislintat and trainer Maurice Steijn, my confidence has completely disappeared.”

“Despite the departure of a number of important players, I do not have the feeling that we have deteriorated,” Leering refers to outgoing transfers such as Sam Beukema, Tijjani Reijnders, Milos Kerkez, Pantelis Hatzidiakos and Jesper Karlsson. AZ survived two preliminary rounds in the Conference League and is second in the Premier League. “We have plenty of points in terms of points and the football is also nice to watch. Furthermore, I am very happy that striker Vangelis Pavlidis has stayed.”

“Talent Factory”

AZ was able to credit around sixty million euros to the bank account through the departing players. Leering: “A small part was used for new players (about 13 million euros), but part also went to the youth academy. And that is paying off, because it is one big talent factory.”

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Where AZ technical director Max Huiberts carefully looked for new talented gems such as Ruben van Bommel, Ibrahim Sadiq and Alexandre Penetra. That’s where Mislintat really threw money. More than a hundred million euros poorer and twelve unknown players richer. Elshof: “He has indeed spent a lot of money, but he has also earned a lot of money. And you cannot say much about those new players. In the beginning we also broke players like Edson Alvarez and Lisandro Martinez and look how that went. Only With Steijn I really have no idea what his vision is, I think he can leave immediately.”

“Plagues”

“I can laugh about how things are going at Ajax now,” AZ supporter Leering honestly admits. “This Amsterdam club always presents itself as the best in the Netherlands and I now enjoy teasing colleagues who are in favor of Ajax. On the other hand, I wish Ajax the best in Europe, because that is useful for the coefficient list. But I secretly really enjoy it when Ajax finishes below AZ in the competition.”

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“AZ often shows calimero behavior, as is now the case with Alex Kroes”, Elshof refers to the new director of Ajax who comes over from AZ and is only allowed to start on March 15, 2024, because AZ is adhering to the non-competition clause. “I find that quite childish. Reminds me of that corona title that AZ wanted to claim in 2020. Let them be proud of what they have achieved there in Alkmaar. Last year’s win in the Youth League, that is great and also Now in Europe I hope they do well.”

Yet you would say that Ajax could learn something from the Alkmaarders on an administrative level. Where it is always quiet and the same successful course has been sailed for years. “You can’t compare that with each other,” Amsterdammer Elshof immediately adds. “It is a provincial club where there is much less pressure and where it is simply much easier to implement policy. Fewer people who get involved, not listed on the stock exchange. Just completely different forces. If things do not go well for us, then heads should roll immediately, that is different in Alkmaar.”

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AZ may be a smaller club than Ajax, but Leering praises the vision and policy of his Alkmaar club. “Many players leave every season, but the new purchases are almost always there. It feels as if the policy makers at AZ think about it much more carefully and put in more preparation than at Ajax. Of course there is sometimes a wrong purchase, but the Most transfers work out well.”

Kroes & Cruyff

“At the moment it is a lot of grumpy. On the other hand, after four titles it also started to get a bit boring. We have both feet on the ground again.” Despite the poor performance of his club, Elshof’s Amsterdam swagger has not disappeared. And the fanatical Ajax supporter has also thought about a solution. “I expect the arrival of Kroes as general manager will provide a lot of peace. He knows the club, has dominance and also business acumen. Many more skills than the previous director Edwin van de Sar. And furthermore, I will love it if Jordi Cruijff comes to Amsterdam in the role of technical director.”

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The kick-off between HŠK Zrinjski Mostar and AZ for the Conference League will take place at 6.45 pm. Then at 9 p.m. in the Johan Cruijff Arena, the first whistle will sound for the Europa League match Ajax – Olympique Marseille. And on Sunday at 2.30 pm the next cracker awaits Ajax. National champion Feyenoord will then come to Amsterdam. “I have never looked forward to Feyenoord with fear,” said a cynically laughing Elshof. “But now I feel that fear for Sunday.”