The performance in Rotterdam was a revelation for Ajax Amsterdam, with the press not leaving the record champions unscathed after the 6-0 defeat. Coach John van ‘t Schip also spoke out
The situation at Ajax Amsterdam is not quite as bad as De Telegraaf wrote. But the fact that the Dutch newspaper still classifies it as a relegation candidate is quite telling. Ajax are sixth in the table
The reason is the humiliation in the “Klassieker” at Feyenoord. Ajax were already 3-0 down at the break and ended up 6-0 down. A glance at the scoring statistics reveals that the 36-time champions were well served – they scored 1:30.
As a result, the Dutch media were full of criticism. The daily newspaper AD wrote of a “cat-and-mouse game” and a “thrashing for eternity”. Broadcaster NOS said that “the Ajax players went to De Kuip like lambs to the slaughter.”
Coach John van ‘t Schip was also served. The 60-year-old had taken over Ajax in October 2023, when the team was in real danger of relegation after picking up five points from the first eight games and was even bottom of the table. It was the first time ever in the club’s history
A unique defeat
Van’t Schip got the ship back on course, but Sunday was a relapse into times long thought to be over. The coach had no sympathy. “That was men against boys – or even schoolchildren,” said an angry van’t Schip, who had already announced his retirement as coach for the new season at the end of March.
According to data service provider Opta, it was the first time in the club’s history that Ajax had lost an official match by six goals. For Amsterdam, it was also the second bitter defeat against their arch-rivals this season. Ajax had already lost 4-0 in their own stadium in the first half of the season, the game was abandoned due to rioting by the home fans and continued a few days later.
