Goose and Borst: Football Visionaries :-)

This is Hugo Borst’s column in the AD, but also dedicated to Goose for his – indeed – remarkable prediction about Henk ten Cate .

Sometimes we tend to forget that losing is part of (our) football life. FC Twente did it with vigour and spirit, FC Groningen heroic, Heerenveen disgraceful and PSV without a chance in hell. And Ajax? Played from the pitch. Admittedly by a team in form, but it is Dynamo Zagreb, they’re not even European sub top. The question remains, if Zagreb isn’t European sub top, what is Ajax nowadays?

And, modest as I am, I want to remind everyone how I predicted Ten Cate’s demise. Almost two months ago I wrote that Ajax should have let Ten Cate go for the new season. Perez would’ve played for Ajax. But, Ajax management decided to allow Ten Cate to finish his work. Incredible. In my view, an outstanding player is more important than a coach. But, Van Geel wasn’t in power, apparently, chairman Jaakke didn’t have the balls. So, Perez left and Ten Cate stayed on. I predicted that Ajax would have “a Feyenoord-year”. And with the ousting out of the CL competition and now also the UEFA cup tournament, it was only a matter of time before Ajax would kick him out. But, there is a posh escape route to London. Hurray. As assistant coach (or field trainer) of an absolute top team Henk is much more at ease. A little bit in the background, and not with all the responsibility he can make European champs into world champs. He is capable of improving individual players and teams, but he needs to be far removed from microphones and cameras. Because if the spotlights find Henkie, mayhem ensues sooner or later. It become a row. Even after Ajax – Dynamo Zagreb. It’s a bit unpleasant and sleazy. I like fringe dwellers but Ajax is a professional quality side and Ten Cate just doesn’t fit the bill.

Arjen Robben is back. Hardly has any match fitness or rhythm but, hupla!, Van Basten selects him immediately. And so was Maduro! Three matches in Ajax and there he is. But, no…not Tim de Cler. We almost think it’s normal.

Do you remember when Koeman was coach and Louis van Gaal was technical director at Ajax? Koeman had trouble with Van der Vaart and Sneijder and didn’t have a lot of credit with the fans. Van Gaal and Koeman had a major disagreement and the board needed to make a choice. What does one do? The long term man (Van Gaal) or the passenger Koeman? Well, Van Gaal had to go. But three months later (!), the winner Koeman left as well. They should have kept Van Gaal.

So, the last time this occurred. Perez (van Gaal) had to stay but Ten Cate (Koeman) did. This happened on chairman Jaakke’s watch. The dear ol’ boy is not competent.