Ajax 2023/24: Three coaches Ajax must consider for replacing Maurice Steijn – tactical analysis

After a dismal start to the season, where they have lost their last four Eredivisie matches and currently sit in the relegation zone, Ajax made the decision to sack their manager, Maurice Steijn, after only four months in charge. In the midst of what could be described as a crisis, the Dutch giants and record Eredivisie champions have put assistant manager Hedwiges Maduro in charge for the upcoming fixtures as they begin the search for a new manager. 

Some names have already begun to be linked, with one being current Manchester United assistant manager Mitchell van der Gaag. However, reports have also said it is unlikely he would depart Manchester to return to Amsterdam. Another one has been former Ajax player John vant Schip, who reportedly said Ajax approached him to be interim manager until the end of the season. 

However, we will be looking at more long-term solutions for Ajax and who we feel would be the best fit tactically and stylistically for the style of football that Ajax love to play and are known for across world football. This article will highlight the three that stand out the most as potential candidates, with this tactical analysis looking more along the lines of a scout report on the different managers. 

Pascal Jansen, 50 years old, AZ Alkmaar

When looking at the options inside of the Netherlands for names of who could take over the permanent head coaching role at Ajax, there actually arent many realistic options that stand out. While Peter Bosz is a former Ajax manager, the Dutchman has kicked on with PSV Eindhoven this season, guiding the club to top of the Eredivisie with only three goals conceded in the first nine domestic league matches. 

Arne Slot is also an interesting name, though his loyalty to Feyenoord by spurning the advances of Tottenham Hotspur and signing a new contract this summer, and also taking into account the heated rivalry between the two sides, makes this a non-starter. 

This leaves Pascal Jansen, with the 50-year-old Dutchman quietly turning AZ Alkmaar into one of the best teams in the Eredivisie in recent seasons. Since becoming head coach of AZ in December 2020, they have been one of the most consistently performing sides in the Dutch top flight, with league finishes of 3rd, 5th, and 4th in the past three seasons. He has also guided them into Europe, notably bringing the club to the semi-finals of last seasons Europa Conference League before losing to eventual winners West Ham United. 

Taking a deeper look at AZ this season, their four goals conceded is the second-fewest, while 25 goals scored is 3rd most, with them currently sitting 2nd in the Eredivisie table. When thinking of Ajax, the main things that come to mind is possession-based football with plenty of attacking impetus. Considering Jansen at AZ, the Dutch side has averaged 52.2% possession this season, slightly behind Ajaxs number of 60.4%. However, these possession numbers tend to be somewhat misleading, with Ajax and AZs average passes per 90 minutes identical. The attacking impetus is also prevalent in Pascal Jansens side, with AZ Alkmaar having one of the highest numbers of shots this season, with 42.3% of them being on target, the best return of any of the top Eredivisie sides. 

The data viz graphic above highlights the shots taken by AZ Alkmaar this season and the general areas on the pitch where they look to take these shots. As we can see, most of the goals have been scored from inside the penalty box, though they also tend to take shots from outside the area if the space opens up for them. AZs 222 touches inside the penalty area this season is 3rd most in the Eredivisie, with a lot of ball progression into the penalty area coming from the dribbling ability of their wide midfielders in Jansens preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, though it also looks like a 4-3-3 at times. 

Both wide midfielders, 20-year-old Swede Mayckel Lahdo and 20-year-old Dutchman Myron van Brederode have accounted for a total of 74 1v1 and dribbling opportunities, while Greek forward Vangelis Pavlidis has also added to that total. To summarise, Pascal Jansen wants his side to play forward-thinking attacking football, with the wide players looking to penetrate the penalty area and find teammates in better goalscoring areas between the posts.