Amsterdam
Ajax head coach Francesco Farioli has officially stepped down after a disappointing end to the Eredivisie season. The club confirmed Monday that Farioli informed the board of his decision following Ajax's dramatic collapse that saw them lose a nine-point lead with just five matches remaining.
Ajax eventually finished second behind rivals PSV Eindhoven, missing out on what could have been their 37th league title. Despite qualifying for the UEFA Champions League, the season's ending was seen as a failure by many supporters.
Farioli, Ajax’s first non-Dutch coach since 1998 and first-ever Italian head coach, expressed pride in his tenure. In a farewell statement, he reflected on his goal to restore Ajax’s glory and thanked the fans for their support throughout the season.
The emotional coach had earlier hinted at a possible exit during Ajax's final game, where he was seen in tears. Tensions with the club’s board reportedly influenced his decision to leave, with both sides disagreeing on Ajax’s direction going forward.
Assistant coaches Daniele Cavalletto and Felipe Sanchez Mateos, along with goalkeeping coach Jarkko Tuomisto, will also depart. Ajax now faces a major reshuffle ahead of the new season.