Ajax bet on Sparta coach Steijn with Maduro as assistant, Monday talks

Maurice Steijn is on his way to Ajax. The Amsterdammers see in the success coach of Sparta Rotterdam the ideal candidate for the head coaching position.

Because Steijn (49) impressed a lot in the last year with Sparta, which he miraculously saved from relegation last season and almost led to European soccer today. FC Twente was too strong in the final of the playoffs, leaving Steijn out of contention with the Rotterdammers.

Although Steijn has an ongoing contract at Sparta, he already let it be known that it was not certain that he will still be working in Rotterdam next season. But he did not want to elaborate on that Sunday afternoon, with another important match ahead of him.

On Monday morning he will speak with technical director Gerard Nijkamp about his future.

Watch an interview with Maurice Steijn today about his future plans here:

Now that the season is officially over, more is becoming clear. In addition to Steijn, Ajax hopes to add former player Hedwiges Maduro to the staff as an assistant.

Maduro promoted to the premier league with Almere City on Sunday night as assistant to coach Alex Pastoor. He too has a contract that runs for another season. Ajax will therefore have to put a ransom on the table for both of them.

Steijn worked in the past at ADO Den Haag and VVV-Venlo, among other clubs. In service of the latter club, he won a Rinus Michels Award, for the best coach of the first division.