After a second-place finish in the Dutch Eredivisie, Italian manager Francesco Farioli announced his departure from Ajax on Monday, citing disagreements with the executive board on several critical issues as the reason behind his sudden exit.
According to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, former manager Erik ten Hag is on the club's two-name shortlist to replace Farioli. The former Manchester United boss managed Ajax during their most recent golden days between 2018 and 2022, a time in which they won three Eredivisie titles, the KNVB Beker twice, and reached the semi-finals of the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League.
Ten Hag has been without a job since his forced exit from Manchester in November 2024. During his two-year stint at Manchester United, Ten Hag won the League Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.
Paul Simonis
The other name on Ajax's shortlist is that of Go Ahead Eagles manager Paul Simonis. The 40-year-old Dutchman took over as Go Ahead Eagles boss from Rene Hake, who left the club in the summer of 2024 to assist Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.
Simonis and the Eagles impressed mightily this season by winning the KNVB Beker, the first major prize in club history, and playing an attractive, modern brand of football in the club's most successful season ever.
According to De Telegraaf, Ten Hag and Simonis have already had discussions with Ajax in case Farioli left the club.