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Tag: Ajax

  • Super Eagles defender, Calvin Bassey on radar of Ajax, Aston Villa

    Super Eagles defender, Calvin Bassey on radar of Ajax, Aston Villa

    Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey is on the radar of Eredivisie champions, Ajax Amsterdam and English Premier League side, Aston Villa.

    Ajax, according to the Daily Mail, has identified Bassey as a replacement for Argentina’s defender, Lisandro Martinez, who is set to join Manchester United.

    Meanwhile, Bassey’s former coach at Rangers, Steven Gerrard has also penciled down his name for a move to Villa Park ahead of season 2022/2023.

    The report also says that other EPL club sides are interested in the services of the solid defender, Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace are reportedly interested in the versatile defender.

    Bassey was very impressive for the Rangers of Glasgow in last season’s campaign that saw the club side win the Scottish league.

    Bassey only joined Rangers from Leicester City two years ago.
    Calvin Bassey is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Scottish Premiership club Rangers and the Nigeria national team. Bassey is a product of Leicester City’s youth system but didn’t make a senior appearance for the club before joining Rangers on a free transfer in July 2020.
  • Ajax name Schreuder as Ten Hag’s replacement

    Ajax name Schreuder as Ten Hag’s replacement

    Alfred Schreuder has been appointed coach of Ajax Amsterdam in succession to the Manchester United-bound Erik ten Hag, the Dutch champions said on Thursday.

    The 49-year-old Schreuder is Dutch but joins from Belgian side Club Brugge on a two-year contract, with the option of a further season.

    He previously worked as an assistant coach at Ajax under Ten Hag and was also on the bench of Bundesliga club Hoffenheim for a season before assisting Ronald Koeman at FC Barcelona.

    Schreuder departs Club Brugge after only five months, having led them into the Championship play-off.

    “Becoming head coach of Ajax is an honour and a big chance I will grasp with both hands,” he said.

  • DR Congo player Lukoki dies at 29

    DR Congo player Lukoki dies at 29

    Democratic Republic of Congo’s winger Jody Lukoki has died aged 29, with the cause of his death currently unknown.

    Lukoki came through the ranks at Dutch giants Ajax before spells with PEC Zwolle, Bulgarian club Ludogorets and Turkish side Yeni Malatyaspor.

    The 29-year-old, who won three Eredivisie titles with Ajax, signed for FC Twente on a two-year deal last June but suffered a cruciate ligament injury in pre-season training.

    Lukoki had his contract terminated by Twente in February for what the club described as “events in his personal life”.

    Twente confirmed the passing of Lukoki on Monday in a statement.

    “The club is shocked and deeply moved by this tragic event,” the club said.

    “Twente sympathises with his loved ones and wishes them a lot of strength in processing this great loss.”

    Zwolle also paid tribute: “PEC Zwolle has learnt with dismay and sadness of the far too early death of former player Jody Lukoki.

    “Lukoki will forever be remembered as PEC Zwolle’s first goalscorer in an official European game. PEC Zwolle wishes the relatives of Jody Lukoki a lot of strength to bear this enormous loss.”

    While Turkish side Yeni Malatyaspor added: “We learned with sadness the news that Jody Lukoki, who wore our club’s jersey in the 2020/2021 Super League season, passed away.

    “Our condolences to his family and community.”

    Lukoki represented the Netherlands at youth international level but opted to play for DR Congo, who he made his senior debut for in 2015.

    All three caps for the Leopards came in friendly matches, with his last coming against Burkina Faso in 2020.

  • Erik Ten Hag doubles pay before leaving Ajax for Man Utd

    Erik Ten Hag doubles pay before leaving Ajax for Man Utd

    Erik ten Hag will double his contract when he leaves Ajax for Manchester United.

    Ten Hag was confirmed as United’s manager on Thursday on £9million a year until June 2025, and is set to be joined by his Ajax assistant Mitchell van der Gaag when he starts this summer.

    The Dutchman has doubled his salary at Ajax by signing a three-year deal worth close to £30million, with the option on the club’s side of an additional 12 months, says the Daily Mail.

    Additional incentives have been built in based on United’s success. Van der Gaag is still in discussions over his deal.

    Ten Hag replaces Rangnick at the end of the season, having beaten Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino to the job.

  • EPL: I want to prove some people wrong – Van de Beek

    EPL: I want to prove some people wrong – Van de Beek

    Everton midfielder Donny van de Beek has had a pop at parent club Manchester United.

    Van de Beek was unable to play regularly at Old Trafford after arriving from Ajax in the summer of 2020, and was allowed to leave temporarily to gain more minutes.

    He was identified by boss Frank Lampard as a key target in the winter window and, after enjoying a good spell since penning his deal, is now keen to kick on.

    Asked if he has a point to prove, Van de Beek told the club programme: “Yes, but it is also for everyone around me.

    “If I play well, I do it for them, for my girlfriend and for my family and friends.

    “I want to give joy to those people. And to the fans. Then I want to do it for myself. Of course, sometimes I am disappointed and frustrated.

    “But I always try to stay positive and believe there will be a day it will change.

    “I can only change it with hard work, I want to show that some people are wrong and I still have the quality to play – I always aim to do this.”

  • I know I’m good enough to succeed abroad – Ajax coach

    I know I’m good enough to succeed abroad – Ajax coach

    Ajax coach Erik ten Hag says he isn’t desperate to work abroad.

    The Dutchman is a target for Manchester United and also turned down an approach from Newcastle United.

    Ten Hag said, “I think I’m ready for this.

    “I would be glad to accept this challenge. But I’m not chasing this opportunity. If I still don’t work abroad, I will not say that my coaching career was not successful.

    “However, I believe that I am competent enough to take this challenge.”

  • I’d be happy to make Ajax return – Ziyech

    I’d be happy to make Ajax return – Ziyech

    Chelsea midfielder Hakim Ziyech has opened the door to eventually returning to Ajax.

    The midfielder is currently producing some of the best form of his time at Chelsea.

    Ziyech said, “Well, I’d like to. I had a fantastic time there and it is a place where I have felt at home. Whether it will happen, the future will show.

    “If it’s up to me, that’s definitely going to happen.

    “It’s not up to me. I leave that to them. I just try to enjoy every day and do my thing. We’ll see what the future brings. I hope so, but it’s not up to me if that’s going to happen.”

  • Andre Onana chooses Inter Milan over Arsenal

    Andre Onana chooses Inter Milan over Arsenal

    Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana has turned down an offer from Arsenal.

    Gazzetta dello Sport says Onana has rejected an approach from Arsenal and plans to join Inter Milan in 2022.

    Onana, 25, comes off contract in June and has already committed to terms with Inter. The deal is set to run to 2026.

    An announcement is expected in February.

    The Cameroon international is completing a doping ban this month and will be available to Ajax in the coming weeks.

  • Liverpool, Ajax qualify for Champions League last 16

    Liverpool, Ajax qualify for Champions League last 16

    Liverpool and Ajax both won on Wednesday to qualify for the knockout phase of the Champions League with two group games to spare.

    Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane scored to give Liverpool a 2-0 win over 10-man Atletico Madrid at Anfield as Jurgen Klopp’s side kept up their perfect record to secure top spot in Group B.

    Ajax came from behind to win 3-1 at 10-man Borussia Dortmund, Sebastien Haller scoring his seventh Champions League goal this season as the Dutch side sealed their progress from Group C.

  • EPL: Newcastle plan £11m-a-year offer for Ajax coach

    EPL: Newcastle plan £11m-a-year offer for Ajax coach

    Premier League club Newcastle United are drawing up a massive contract offer for Ajax coach Erik ten Hag.

    The Daily Mail says Newcastle would be willing to pay the highly-rated boss a salary of £6million after tax – totalling a gross wage of just over £11m.

    The eye-watering package would put Ten Hag behind Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp, who earn £20million and £15m a year respectively, in the order of English football’s best paid bosses.

    However, Ten Hag is said to have reservations over leaving Ajax for the new project at Newcastle. The 51-year-old has established a reputation as one of Europe’s best emerging coaches and turned down the opportunity of replacing Jose Mourinho at Tottenham during the close season.

    Indeed, leaving Ajax for Newcastle, particularly given their current Premier League predicament, would represent a significant risk for a coach whose profile is on an upward trajectory.