Louis van Gaal has immediately ended his advisory role at Ajax as he refuses to be part of the experiment under Jordi Cruyff. The iconic trainer puts an end to his involvement now that the club deviates from the long-term vision he advocated. This departure immediately follows the dismissal of Marijn Beuker, a close relative of Van Gaal, which exposes the deep internal divisions within the Amsterdam club management.
The break is final and irreversible: Van Gaal will not accept a role in an administrative structure that prioritizes quick, tactical results over the sound structural construction he always preached. Power thus irrevocably shifts to the new guard around Jordi Cruijff and technical manager Alex Kroes, who now have free rein for their own agenda. Although no formal statement with direct quotes has been issued, the timing of his departure makes the fundamental disagreement over strategic direction painfully clear.
Van Gaal, infamous for his principled and sometimes blunt attitude, already announced through the back door that he did not feel like taking on a symbolic position without real influence on technical philosophy or youth training. His absence leaves a gap in the advisory board that can hardly be filled by the current line-up in terms of experience and authority. The focus is now entirely on the implementation of Jordi Cruijff's short-term strategy, which should lead to immediate sporting rehabilitation.
For Ajax, this means the loss of decades of institutional knowledge and a risky gamble on a future without the architectural guidance of its most famous son. The rift between Van Gaal and the new leadership is not an incident, but the visible tip of an iceberg. Ever since the departure of former chairman Edwin van der Sar in 2023, unrest has been brewing about the club's direction.
Van Gaal, who served as Ajax's moral compass for decades, saw his influence dwindle when the club opted for a more commercial and less football-technical approach. His departure marks the end of an era in which the club profiled itself as a school for players, not as a playground for investors. The new strategy under Cruijff and Kroes revolves around flexibility and quick adjustments, but lacks the depth that made Ajax a unique club.
While Van Gaal always emphasized that youth players were only allowed to play in the main squad after a minimum of five years, Cruijff is now committed to a faster progression. This difference in philosophy explains why Van Gaal saw no room for a role within the new structure — he refused to participate in an experiment that affected the club's DNA. The reactions within the Ajax organization have so far been limited to silence or vague promises about a smooth transition.
It is recognized internally that Van Gaal's departure is a blow, but the new guard chooses to limit the damage by keeping the focus on sporting results. Yet the symbolic value of his departure cannot be underestimated: Van Gaal was not just an advisor, but the last direct link with the golden generations of 1995 and 2019. His absence leaves a void that is difficult to fill, especially now that the club is struggling with an identity crisis that goes beyond just technical football choices.
The fans are divided. Some see Cruijff's approach as necessary to pull the club out of the doldrums, while others fear the loss of the unique Ajax culture. The tension between these two camps threatens to further disrupt the internal peace, now that the club also sees a division developing in the stands that undermines the unity of the past.
The dynamic between Van Gaal and Cruijff is not a personal feud, but a clash of generations and football philosophies. Cruyff represents the modern, data-driven approach that Ajax believes is necessary to compete with the financial power of clubs like Manchester City or Real Madrid. Van Gaal, on the other hand, continues to stick to the classic Ajax method: patience, structure and an unwavering belief in the youth academy.
His departure symbolizes the transition from a club that sees itself as a football academy to a club that positions itself as a top club with a commercial agenda. This shift also has consequences for youth training itself. Under Van Gaal and Beuker, the academy was known for its strict selection and long turnaround times, which resulted in players such as Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong.
Cruijff's approach, with faster progression and more focus on individual development, can lead to a new generation of talent, but also to the loss of the unique Ajax identity that made these players so successful. The question is whether the club is willing to take the risk and whether the supporters will accept this experiment in the long term. What's next: In the coming weeks, Ajax will have to prove that the new strategy works under the leadership of Cruijff and Kroes.
The first test will come soon: the club will soon play in the Champions League qualifying round. If the results are not forthcoming, internal unrest threatens to flare up further and divide the supporters even further. For Van Gaal, the departure is final; he has indicated he is not interested in returning, even in a different role.
The question now is whether Ajax is prepared to pay the price for this radical change of course - both sportingly and culturally. Read at AD Sport
Why this matters
Van Gaal is more than a former coach; he is the living archive of Ajax culture. His departure confirms that the club is putting aside radical reform plans, which were intended to stabilize the club for the next ten years, in favor of panic football. By focusing on quick solutions under Jordi Cruijff, Ajax is sacrificing its unique DNA and risks further alienating the supporter base that still adheres to traditional values. The internal divisions and the loss of institutional knowledge make the club vulnerable to both sporting and managerial instability, with uncertain consequences for the future.
Frequently asked
Why did Van Gaal leave?
Van Gaal saw no point in Ajax's new direction under Jordi Cruijff. He did not agree with the shift from a long-term vision to a short-term focus, and left after the dismissal of his confidant Marijn Beuker.
What is Jordi Cruijff's role in this?
Jordi Cruijff is the driving force behind the new strategy that Van Gaal is distancing himself from. His approach is seen as an experiment that deviates from the structural planning that Van Gaal and Beuker had in mind.
What does this mean for the future of Ajax?
It means the loss of enormous institutional knowledge. Ajax is now opting for a short-term survival strategy instead of a solid long-term plan, which makes the club vulnerable to further sporting and managerial instability.
How do the fans react to this departure?
The reactions are divided. Some see Cruijff's approach as necessary to pull the club out of the doldrums, while others fear the loss of the unique Ajax culture and traditional values.
Is there still room for compromise between the old and new guard?
The break seems irreversible. Van Gaal has made it clear that he will not accept a symbolic role, and the new leadership is choosing to continue the course. A compromise seems out of the question now that the balance of power has shifted.
What was the relationship between Van Gaal and Marijn Beuker?
Beuker was a close kindred spirit of Van Gaal and served as his confidant within the club. His dismissal was the direct reason for Van Gaal's departure, because it made the break with the new course permanent.
