Ten Cate’s exit very close, or is he staying??

The Dutch media can’t follow it anymore. What is happening. In a press conference only hours ago Henk ten Cate said: “Yes, I have been approached to work at Chelsea and I do think it is an honour to work for such a huge club, but I haven’t signed anything. My dream is to become champions with Ajax. And although the defeat against Zagreb hurts, we do know the reasons and we also know that we have a top team nationally but lack quality for international top. I want to stay at Ajax and finish the season, but then again…you never know in football.”

While I was working on another post on the subject… :-). But it’s true… Sneijder couldn’t go to Valencia, decided to stay at Ajax and went to Madrid instead.

Ajax - according to insiders - wouldn’t mind if Ten Cate would leave. But, to find the right replacement at a short notice is the problem.
Behiind closed doors, Ajax is determining the “transfer sum” for Ten Cate and is preparing a hit list for a replacement. The name that is mentioned most is Martin Jol. The Tottenham manager is under quite some pressure but was already a candidate for Ajax when Koeman left the Amsterdam club.

The most obvious vibe in Amsterdam is relief, not panic. Since quite some time there is animosity between the trainer Ten Cate and Ajax’ technical director Martin van Geel.
According to insiders, the rift started because the personalities clashed. Ten Cate is an emotional and irrational man, dominant and manipulative. Van Geel is more a rational analyst and a gentleman in social conduct. The problems got bigger with Perez’ transfer to PSV. Van Geel - supported by a lot of Ajax insiders - wanted to keep the Danish player. Ten Cate clashed with Perez and wanted him out, even with the chance of Sneijder leaving. Ten Cate pulled the power-card and played the “him or me” game. Van Geel agreed to sell Perez (to PSV) but couldn’t hide his frustration very well.

Another reason for impatience at the Ajax offices is the lack of entertainment of Ajax current play-style.

When Ten Cate was approached to talk to Chelsea, he agreed. And that is in football-land a signal. If a trainer of a topclub talks to another club in September (!!!) he clearly states that he wants out. And the response from Ajax’ management leaves no doubt. Never in a formal press release or interview were the words “we are very sorry if we lose Ten Cate” or words like that heard.

Ajax will have three weeks to present a replacement, due to the two international Oranje games. Sources around Martin Jol have declared that Ajax already contacted him. Martin van Geel denies this. Chairman Jaakke said earlier that Adriaanse will not be asked back. All other coaches who have declared to be interested to work in Amsterdam have commitments. Van Basten, Rijkaard, Hiddink and Jol… The latter is probably the easiest to get.

Some people in Amsterdam claim that Ajax is talking to the KNVB to ask for the services of Van Basten and Van ‘t Schip (both ex Ajax players and trainers). Both coaches could do Oranje as a part time job. This would be unprecedented and could cause numerous discussion about their selection policies. Frank de Boer is currently youth coach at Ajax but does have the papers required to take the top job. Jan Olde Riekerink, ex-assistant to Co Adriaanse and Louis Van Gaal and ex head coach of Genk and Emmen, is currently director youth development and like De Boer has all the required papers.

The Ajax fans are clear in their opinion: the sooner Ten Cate leaves, the better….