FRANCESCO FARIOLI has quit as Ajax manager, the day after breaking down in tears on the pitch – paving the way for him to replace Ange Postecoglou.
Farioli wept on the field after seeing his side throw away the Eredivisie title.
AFPFrancesco Farioli has quit as Ajax manager[/caption]
Shutterstock EditorialThe Italian wept on the pitch as his side missed out on the Eredivisie title[/caption]
Ajax finished on 78 points, one behind champions PSV.
And Farioli, 36, has told the board he will walk away less than 24 hours after the heartbreak.
He joined from Nice a year ago, penning a three-year contract in Amsterdam.
But now Farioli and his backroom staff have opted to leave as Ajax made it three seasons without winning the league.
Farioli said: “My journey at Ajax started almost one year ago, at De Toekomst, with the aim of bringing Ajax back to where it belongs. And it ended at the Johan Cruijff ArenA, finally bringing back Ajax to Champions League, the biggest stage of European football.
!We wanted to bring new energy to the whole Ajax community, sharing a positive way of working and thinking with the club at all levels.
“Being Ajax’s first non-Dutch coach since 1998 and the club’s first-ever Italian one have been an absolute privilege: together with my staff we embraced this huge challenge with respect, responsibility, passion and determination to succeed.
“Earning the respect and support from Ajax fans we felt throughout the whole season meant a lot for myself and my staff.
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“We lived unbelievable and unforgettable moments all together: a unique, intense, emotional season in which we shared belief, fighting spirit and pride, finally achieving our goal, accomplishing our mission.
“The management and I have the same goals for the future of Ajax, but we have different visions and timeframes about the way we should work and operate to achieve those goals.
“Given these differences in the principles and foundations of the project, I feel deep in my heart that this is the best moment to part ways.”
Ajax’s technical director Alex Kroes added: “I find this incredibly disappointing.
“Francesco and his staff have been a great help to us.
“It’s been an intense season filled with many memorable moments, and we achieved our goal: qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
“Francesco also played a key role in enhancing the high-performance culture at Ajax, for which we are extremely grateful.
“This summer was already set to be a challenging transfer window, and it has now become even more so.
“It is up to us to ensure that a strong new coaching team is in place when pre-season preparations begin on 26 June.”
Francesco Farioli’s coaching career
Fatih Karagumruk 22 March 2021 to 16 December 2021 – P27 W11 D8 L8 GD+4 Win % 40.74
Alanyaspor 31 December 2021 to 27 February 2023 – P48 W20 D12 L16 GD+6 Win % 41.67
Nice 30 June 2023 to 23 May 2024 – P38 W17 D11 L10 GD+13 Win % 44.74
Ajax 23 May 2024 to 19 May 2024 – P53 W34 D7 L12 GD+47 Win % 64.15
TOTAL – P166 W82 D38 L46 GD+70 Win % 49.40
Now Farioli is available should Tottenham look to replace Postecoglou.
Postecoglou’s future at Spurs looks uncertain – and may well leave even if he wins the Europa League final on Wednesday.
Italian Farioli was already in the running to take over in North London.
And the possible return to the Tottenham boardroom of Fabio Paratici could pave the way for his compatriot Farioli, a former disciple of Roberto De Zerbi.
After working under the ex-Brighton boss at Benevento and Sassuolo, ex-goalkeeper Farioli started his own managerial career in Turkey before leading Nice to Europa League qualification despite starting the season without his Uefa Pro Licence coaching badge.
Oliver Glasner is the favourite to take over from Postecoglou off the back of his FA Cup glory with Crystal Palace with Scott Parker, Thomas Frank, Mauricio Pochettino and Xavi also in the running.
Ange Postecoglou could leave Tottenham even if he wins the Europa League finalPA Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
