Source: Parool

Authors: DICK SINTENIE

"Time to get some things aright"

You mentioned that you want to go back to work as a trainer. Is that why this is
the first time you’re willing to be interviewed?

"Partly. There was a lot of nonsense going around about my work at Ajax and I
think it’s time to put some things right. "

Nonsense?

"An image was created that I arrived at Ajax, grabbed the wallet, spent all the
money and then resigned. That I had received a carte blanche, as my successor,
Mr. Jol felt compelled to say, is absolutely erroneous. I think it is very bad form
that the management and the board of Commissioners of Ajax did not negate
that story. They even confirmed the words of Jol on several occasions.”

Sketch the situation once when Ajax came up.

"President John Jaakke was gone, technical director Martin van Geel had left and
Henry der Aat was appointed as interim director, succeeding Maarten Fontein.
The club had sold players to the count of nearly sixty million in the preceding
period. I had stipulated that a substantial amount should be invested in new
players. The board and the supervisory at that time agreed on this. At the same
time I called for the arrival of a new technical director or technical manager and
the rapid arrival of a CEO. Because Ajax was my first club as a trainer, I could not
take on two management functions. That would have been madness! I needed all
my attention to train the first team. So it was not, as has been suggested time
and again, my wish to take control of Ajax myself. President Coronel thought this
was the best, not me. Hence, there was no hurry to find a CEO.”

In these circumstances you bought players for nearly thirty million euro’s.

"But almost all of these purchases have been made following the guidelines of
the Coronel- report. Miralem Sulejmani, Dario Cvitanich, Oleguer and others,
were all viewed by the scouting staff. And everyone was aware of such transfers:
Danny Blind, on my nomination had become technical manager, financial director
Jeroen Slop and Van der Aat. And they were all agreed. There was even a player
bought - I will not reveal his name – that I did not find directly necessary. But
directors and commissioners persuaded me that it would be an interesting
purchase for the future. I’m telling this to underline the fact that Ajax wasn’t Van
Basten Incorporated. But when I left Ajax, it was suddenly all my fault. "

But you put on a sackcloth on your last press conference, didn’t you?

"It did not work out as I had expected and I have taken the blame for that. But
others subsequently abused that confession. Again, chairman Uri Coronel, Van
der Aat, Slop and Rik van den Boog knew exactly what the situation was, but they
now try to wash their hands clean. They are apparently busy surviving. "

Are you still convinced the reasons why you withdrew yourself as Ajax-coach
were valid (…at present, I don’t have what it takes to be a Ajax coach…)
"Yes, I have tried to do as much as possible with Ajax, but to no avail. I was too
ambitious and too benevolent. "

Is it possible for a coach to be too ambitious?

"I wanted the best for Ajax, but I wanted it to much, too good and too fast. When
that did not happened as fast as I wanted it, I became frustrated with myself.
That is not effective. There is a need for patience in these processes and didn’t
gave myself slack. If it is not successful in one, two or three times, then you just
have to try four times."

But you show a lot of distance?

"Sometimes the outside belies the inside. Let there be no misunderstanding.

Because of the disappointing performance?

"Yes, it did pile up. In the winter it was unstable. In January, February we had a
bad phase. Then you had the fans on the training field. Then things went well for
a time, but in the end there were problems again after the defeats against PSV
and especially the 4-0 loss against Sparta. I thought: I’m fed up with it. I don’t
want this any more. I’m hurting myself. It was irreversible."

What was your relationship with Luis Suarez?

On May 6, 2009 you resigned. When did you know: I still want to coach again?

"It took a while. I’ve become increasingly aware of the fact that a coach needs to
learn. You mustn’t involve yourself in everything. I think, after my experiences at
Ajax, I know much better now.

Are you willing to work in the Eredivsie?

"No, after Ajax I do not feel the need to work with another club in the
Netherlands. I have always said that I think it is important that my children go to
school in the Netherlands, but if now an opportunity would arise to go abroad for
a post as a trainer, I’m willing to consider it at a serious level.”

Everything goes?

“Only when it appeals to me, when it grabs me. The choice Ruud Gullit made for
Terek Grozny wouldn’t be my choice, I think. My favorite club would be one with a
lot of outstanding players. The youth of today is largely shaped by the clubs, but
the effect of the hours we used to spend on the street playing football isn’t
something that can be trained by a club. Playing football on the street shapes
your personality. There are always two or three who determine the rules and the
groups. These are the guys who later on the pitch say: “Hey, the coach said we
have to go left, but we go to the right. I miss these kind of personalities on the
pitch nowadays. Footballers today are all soldiers who just carry out their tasks.
But when a trainer doesn’t say anything they don’t know what to do. I have seen
this often in the break or in discussions: they remained silent.

How do you look at Frank de Boer as coach of Ajax?

"I do not rule out that Frank also will have a tough time. Luis Suarez and Urby
Emanuelson are sold, and you have to stay competitive. If the final results are
disappointing, it is difficult to work with Ajax, whatever you are called or who you
are. When all the criticism comes together, your authority is so much
undermined that sooner or later you say: never mind. "

You have recently talked with Cruyff about Ajax. How was that?

"Johan has good ideas, good initiatives. But the proof of the pudding is in the
eating."

Do you see a role for yourself with Ajax?

"No, not currently. Frank de Boer is signed as a coach for the coming three years.
I focus my attention on other things. I find it a pity, Ajax is a beautiful club, but
there is an end to it for me. Until a half year ago I felt myself to be closely linked
to Ajax. That feeling has diminished. When Ajax loses a game I’m not
disappointed. And that has to do with the people at the club who put their houses
in order on my expense. That has left me with bad feelings."