Ajax coach Erik ten Hag was full of praise for the performance of his team this season after securing the title on Wednesday. The team from Amsterdam became national champions for the 36th time thanks to a 5-0 victory over sc Heerenveen.
“I am intensely happy, this is great!”, Ten Hag, who will be the trainer of Manchester United next season, exulted ESPN†
“Would I ever have doubts? No, not at all. Although it got a bit more difficult after the winter, we drew once in the second half of the season and lost once. We are flexible and have shown that we can deal with setbacks.”
Ajax, which started the penultimate round with four points ahead of number two PSV, had nothing to fear from Heerenveen in the Johan Cruijff Arena.
The home team took the lead after nineteen minutes via Nicolás Tagliafico and then played a won game. Due to Steven Berghuis, Sébastien Haller, Brian Brobbey and Edson Álvarez, Ajax ran even further in the remainder.
Ajax coach Erik ten Hag became champion with Ajax for the third time on Wednesday.
Ajax coach Erik ten Hag became champion with Ajax for the third time on Wednesday. Photo: AP
‘The boys have a great winning mentality’
Ten Hag also praised the resilience that his team has shown in various matches. For example, Ajax took the victory against SC Cambuur and against NEC in the final minutes. “The boys have a great winning mentality,” said Ten Hag.
“We have played very strong tactically this season. If we got into trouble, it was our own fault. But often we came back and I am very satisfied with how this group has stayed together. We have continued to demand more from each other and that’s why we’re here now.”
The 36th national title is the third and last in the era of Ten Hag, who was appointed by Ajax halfway through the 2017/2018 season. The Amsterdam club also conquered two KNVB cups and a Johan Cruijff Scale in that period. Ajax will close the season on Sunday with an away match against Vitesse.