Ajax finds new technical director in German Mislintat

Sven Mislintat will become Ajax’s new technical director. The 50-year-old German has reached an agreement with the Amsterdam club. According to De Telegraaf, he will sign a contract until mid-2026.

Ajax will in all likelihood present Mislintat tomorrow. “Call back on Tuesday, then there will be more clarity,” the German told NOS on Sunday.

Mislintat left in November 2022 as technical director of Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart, where he served in that position for three and a half years. He previously worked as chief scout of Borussia Dortmund (2009-2016) and Arsenal (2017-2018), among others.

Mislintat’s appointment brings to an end the long search for a new technical director. Following the departure of Marc Overmars due to cross-border behavior in February 2022, Ajax opted for a temporary solution. Gerry Hamstra together with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar became responsible for the buying and selling policy.

Hamstra has since left the club and it is expected that Huntelaar will continue in another role at Ajax. Earlier, Julian Ward of Liverpool was in the picture as Ajax’s technical director, but the Englishman ultimately did not come.

With the capture of Mislintat and the arrival of Jan van Halst on the supervisory board, Ajax seems to have almost put the puzzle together. One important piece is still missing in Amsterdam, however: a trainer for next season.

On Sunday in Studio Voetbal, Peter Bosz, who knows Mislintat from his time at Borussia Dortmund, said he was open to talks with Ajax. Interim coach John Heitinga also indicated he would like to become Ajax’s head coach.