At a club that has been shamed in the corner since the resignation of director Marc Overmars for transgressive behavior towards women in the workplace, football was a matter of exuberance. Nothing was left of Vitesse, a well-known opponent, who graciously got away with 5-0.
The game is the outlet, in the quarterfinals of the cup. As a club of traditional pride and complacency that sometimes tends to arrogance, Ajax is equally small and modest, aware of evil and ashamed, now that the forced departure of the director of football affairs has been dominating the news for three days. It turned out that he had been chasing several women for a long time with cross-border messages. The bewilderment is complete, however macho the world of football may be at times.
Trainer Erik ten Hag and player Daley Blind share bewilderment, disbelief and incomprehension afterwards. They are totally surprised, without knowing all the facts. The players were given the time and space on Monday to let the affair sink in. Ten Hag does not think that Overmars’ behavior is typical of the culture in football. ‘I never notice it, but I don’t come to the office much either. It is also a social discussion. This is also the case in politics, and in other organisations.’
The duel is a farewell greeting to Overmars
Blind calls Overmars, aside from what happened, a “fantastic technical director.” The symbolism on the field is undeniable, as if the duel is a farewell greeting to Overmars, who can safely be called the architect of the sporting success, with Ten Hag as a companion. Two goals from the most expensive purchase, Sébastien Haller. Two of the third most expensive, Antony. One of the first major transfer in a new era, from captain Dusan Tadic, with whom the other policy started from 2018.
It was the step towards hegemony in the Netherlands and an aspired leading role in Europe, by raising salaries and attracting better players. There was also an outstanding role for Steven Berghuis on Wednesday, who was taken over from rival Feyenoord last summer, partly due to the decisiveness of Overmars.
Ajax is free in spirit on the field and that will remain so this season, because players are fixed and trade is not forthcoming for a while. Blind: ‘Mentally we are a strong group. We have conquered more.’ Everything else is uncomfortable. The general manager, Edwin van der Sar, keeps himself reasonably hidden, despite requests to talk about the departure of his friend co-director. He addresses the sponsors before the kick-off, humble and excited. Ten Hag: ‘He will say something soon.’
Before kick-off, Ten Hag emphasizes the female victims in front of the ESPN cameras and afterwards in the written press. Their well-being is now important, although it is also annoying for Ajax, ‘because we are working on something beautiful and that will be interrupted in a moment.’
Future without Overmars uncertain
Ten Hag had difficulty regaining his energy this week, after being informed on Saturday. His future without Overmars is uncertain. He is focused on football. And so there is Antony, the wizard with his exhibitionistic play, his heels, the balls between his legs. The triangle Daley Blind, Dusan Tadic and Steven Berghuis, the entire left flank, is rock solid. Antony dodges tackles, runs and puts the ball perfectly in the corner for 1-0, out of reach of mediocre goalkeeper Jeroen Houwen. Antony portrays a heart. He was perhaps the best signing from Overmars, who saw potential in a youngster from Brazil, spending around 20 million for the player who is now international and may leave for 70 million later.
The most expensive, Haller, makes 2-0 moments later, after a wonderful combination with Klaassen. ‘Who doesn’t know Overmars, Overmars is a real Ajax player’, it sounds modest in the stadium that is barely a third full. Banners are mainly about the corona measures. ‘An empty stadium also a new variant?’
Ten Hag talks about standards and values, and that it is private what he has said to Overmars, who will remain a friend. ‘It is disastrous, but especially for the victims, for the women.’
Haller makes his second, after a cross from Berghuis, Tadic shoots a free kick stiff in the corner and Antony puts the ball in the far corner again. It’s a football party. Ajax has already passed the hundred goals in all competitions this season. That’s the healthy form of exhibitionism for a football club.