Ajax have reached agreement with Marco van Basten, John van ’t Schip and Rob Witschge about their becoming the coaches of Ajax 1. Van Basten signs a contract that makes him Ajax's head coach for in principle four years from 1 July 2008.
John van ’t Schip and Rob Witschge sign contracts as assistant coaches for four years as well, starting 1 July 2008. In the contracts, a mutual evaluation moment, that will take place after two seasons, has been included.
Former Ajax players Van Basten and Van ’t Schip were the coaches of Young Ajax in the 2003-2004-season. Van Basten (43), Van ’t Schip (44) and Witschge (41) have been coaching Holland from the 2004-2005-season.
The new coaching staff will be presented in the press room of Ajax on 5 March 2008 at 11 am.
Technical director Martin van Geel: ,,We are very pleased. These are three ambitious coaches with an Ajax past, who all bring with them an international career as football players and the necessary experience as coaches. Furthermore, it is good that we now have clarity concerning the coaching staff for the seasons to come.”
Agent Perry Overeem: ,,Together with the Board of Directors of Ajax, we have worked hard in the past weeks to get this appointment done. Both parties are very pleased with the manner and the results of these talks. The time that the negotiations have taken, translates into the care taken and attention paid in the process.”
(I think this is great news...first Cruijff back to Ajax..now van Basten...both big names!!!)
