Huntelaar does stay at Ajax; technical manager extends expiring contract

Klaas Jan Huntelaar will stay on as technical manager at Ajax. The former striker of the Amsterdammers extended his expiring contract by four seasons, until mid-2027.

“With his role as technical manager in a general sense and especially at Jong Ajax, he can further develop and be of value to Ajax. I look forward to a long and good cooperation with him,” said director of soccer affairs Sven Mislintat.

Huntelaar’s focus will include the advancement of youth players to Jong Ajax and the first team. “In this role, I stand largely on my own two feet,” Huntelaar said.

Huntelaar’s capture comes in the midst of a period of great unrest in Amsterdam, which has led to an exodus of unprecedented proportions. To top it off, general manager Edwin van der Sar left on Tuesday after nearly 11 years of service at the club as a director.

In the months before, coach Alfred Schreuder had already been fired, technical manager Gerry Hamstra stepped down, technical coach Gerald Vanenburg announced his retirement, as did assistant Michael Reiziger, head of scouting Henk Veldmate and head of youth training Saïd Ouaali.

This week would also reveal whether interim head coach John Heitinga will stay on or leave.