Technical director Jordi Cruijff has set a clear task for AFC Ajax: the club must close the large gap with PSV Eindhoven. He stated this in an interview with NOS Sport, reflecting on a season where Ajax finished fifth, a full 28 points behind the champions.
The Amsterdam side currently sits fourth in the Eredivisie with 7 points from three matches. They have scored 8 goals and conceded 2. The first major test of the season is imminent, with a home fixture against PSV on September 5th. PSV is in second place, while AZ Alkmaar leads with 12 points. Ajax trails the leader by 5 points.
What did Jordi Cruijff say about the gap?
Jordi Cruijff left no room for misunderstanding about the situation. "Yes, the gap with PSV was too big," said the technical director. He pointed to years of stability at PSV, who won multiple championships and benefited from Champions League income. According to Cruijff, Ajax must now rebuild to compete for trophies again. That is a fundamental part of the club, because "We want to win everything, that is the DNA of Ajax."
Cruijff stressed that the team cannot be out of the race by December. The direct clash with PSV is scheduled early in the calendar, underlining the urgency. Fans can follow the upcoming matches on our fixtures page.
How has Ajax approached the squad rebuild?
The transfer period was a tough time for everyone at the club, according to Cruijff. He even made phone calls to players at night to get deals done. Ajax minimized financial risks by bringing in eight players on free transfers or loans. The most notable names are goalkeeper Marc ter Stegen, who joined on loan, and midfielder Julian Brandt, who arrived on a free transfer.
Cruijff indicated that Ajax still holds an attractive power for certain, sometimes unexpected, players. The full composition of the squad can be found on our squad page. The goal is clear: to form a team that can compete immediately.
What does this mean for the start of the season?
The technical director explicitly asks supporters for time, especially in the first few weeks. New players need to find their rhythm in a new team and a new league. The statistics from the first three matches, including the recent WDW form, are available in our stats overview.
The coming weeks will be decisive in seeing if the new signings can integrate quickly. The home match against PSV on September 5th is a key benchmark. The current league standings can always be followed via our standings page.
Ajax begins its catch-up chase with a home match against the league's second-placed team, PSV Eindhoven, on Saturday, September 5, 2026.
