Dutch giants Ajax have confirmed the appointment of Jordi Cruyff, son of club legend Johan Cruyff, as their new technical director.
Cruyff, 51, will officially assume the role on February 1, signing a contract that runs until June 2028.
Speaking on the club’s website, Cruyff described the appointment as deeply personal. “It goes without saying how much this means to my family and me,” he said. “To work at the club named after my father, and one that has been important to me since I was young, is very special. Ajax is a unique club with a rich history, and I will do everything I can to help write a new successful chapter together.”
One of Cruyff’s immediate tasks will be to appoint a new head coach following the dismissal of John Heitinga in November. Ajax are currently 18 points behind Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven, with their last league title coming in 2022.
The club has also struggled in Europe, sitting 34th out of 36 teams in the Champions League, and recently suffered a record 6–0 defeat to AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch Cup.
Johan Cruyff famously guided Ajax to three consecutive European Cup titles in the early 1970s. Jordi, an attacking midfielder, was born in Amsterdam and came through the Ajax youth system but never played professionally for the club.
During his playing career, he featured for clubs including Barcelona and Manchester United, earning nine caps for the Netherlands. After retiring, he went on to manage several teams, including Maccabi Tel Aviv, Ecuador’s national team, and clubs in China.
