The famous Dutch soccer club Ajax is once again looking for a new manager. After John Heitinga was fired, fans were hoping that former coach Erik ten Hag might return to help rebuild the team. But Ten Hag has officially said no, leaving Ajax searching for another leader to guide them forward.
So now the question is — who could take over one of the most historic clubs in European soccer? Let’s look at the six main candidates who might become the next manager of Ajax.
The Situation at Ajax
Ajax is one of the biggest clubs in the Netherlands and Europe, known for its strong youth academy and attacking style of play. Over the years, Ajax has produced world-class players like Johan Cruyff, Dennis Bergkamp, Edwin van der Sar, Frenkie de Jong, and Matthijs de Ligt.
But recently, things haven’t gone so well. The team has struggled in both the Eredivisie (Dutch League) and European competitions. After some disappointing results, Ajax fired caretaker boss Fred Grim, who had only been in charge temporarily.
That means Ajax needs a permanent manager — someone who can bring back their famous “Total Football” style and make the club strong again.
Dream Candidates: Iñigo Pérez and Xavi
Let’s start with the dream options — the managers Ajax wishes they could get, even if it might be difficult.
🇪🇸 Iñigo Pérez – The Young Tactical Mind
One of the top names on Ajax’s list is Iñigo Pérez, the Spanish coach currently managing Rayo Vallecano in La Liga. Pérez is just 37 years old but has already impressed many with his fast-paced, attacking tactics.
He became the head coach of Rayo in February 2024 and has led them in 74 matches, winning 28, losing 24, and drawing the rest. Under him, Rayo scored 91 goals and averaged 1.43 points per game, which is quite solid considering they don’t have the same budget as the big Spanish clubs.
In his first full season, Pérez helped Rayo achieve something huge — they qualified for European football for the first time in 25 years! That’s like a small club suddenly making it into the Champions League or Europa League after decades away.
Ajax’s Director of Football, Marijn Beuker, is said to be a big fan of Pérez’s work. Beuker likes managers who focus on youth development and attacking soccer — exactly what Ajax’s philosophy is built on. So Pérez would fit right in.
🇪🇸 Xavi – The Barcelona Legend
The second “dream” name is Xavi Hernández, one of the greatest midfielders in soccer history and a Barcelona icon.
Xavi has already shown he can be a successful manager. He led FC Barcelona to the La Liga title in 2023, bringing back the club’s traditional passing and possession-based style. Before that, he coached Al Sadd in Qatar, where he also won trophies.
Interestingly, Ajax tried to hire Xavi back in 2024 before they appointed Francesco Farioli, but at that time, Xavi wanted a break after five intense years of managing. Now, 18 months later, he might be ready for a new challenge.
Ajax could have a special advantage here — Louis van Gaal, the legendary Dutch coach, is now an advisor to Ajax’s board. Van Gaal was actually the one who gave Xavi his Barcelona debut in 1998! The two are close friends, and that connection might help convince Xavi to come to Amsterdam.
If Xavi joined Ajax, it would be a massive story — a Barcelona hero managing a club that inspired Barcelona’s own football philosophy decades ago.
Realistic Candidates: Paul Simonis and Mark van Bommel
Now, let’s talk about the more realistic options — the coaches Ajax could actually sign soon.
🇳🇱 Paul Simonis – The Dutch Cup Hero
At the top of this list is Paul Simonis, a 40-year-old Dutch coach who became famous when he led Go Ahead Eagles to a surprise KNVB Cup victory in the 2024/25 season. That was the club’s first major trophy since the 1930s — a truly historic achievement!
Simonis loves attacking football, and in his first full season as manager, he made Go Ahead Eagles strong enough to play in Europe for the first time ever. They even reached 21st place in the UEFA Europa League rankings, which is quite something for a small club.
Unfortunately, Simonis’s move to Germany didn’t go as planned. He joined VfL Wolfsburg but was fired after only 12 games, winning just 2. Even so, German reports say Ajax had already spoken to him before his dismissal.
Simonis knows Dutch football well, he’s still young, and his teams usually play brave, offensive soccer — that makes him a serious contender for the Ajax job.
🇳🇱 Mark van Bommel – The Tough Competitor
Another possibility is Mark van Bommel, the former Dutch international who played for PSV, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and AC Milan. As a player, Van Bommel was known for his leadership, energy, and never-give-up attitude.
He’s also had some managerial experience. Van Bommel coached PSV Eindhoven, where he started his coaching career, and later managed Royal Antwerp in Belgium. In 2023, he guided Antwerp to their first Belgian Pro League title since 1957 — nearly 70 years!
Even so, hiring Van Bommel might be risky. Because of his strong connection to Ajax’s rivals PSV, some fans might not support his appointment. However, since he’s been out of a job since mid-2024, he could be eager for a big opportunity to prove himself again.
Dark Horses: Will Still and Edin Terzic
Finally, there are the “dark horse” options — names that might surprise people but could still be exciting choices.
🇧🇪 Will Still – The Young Innovator
You might have heard of Will Still, the Belgian-English coach who became famous for his time in France. He managed Stade Reims and RC Lens, where he impressed with his modern, data-driven style of coaching.
Fun fact: When Still managed Reims, the club went on a 19-game unbeaten run in Ligue 1! That made him one of the youngest and most talked-about coaches in Europe.
Recently, he tried his luck in England with Southampton, but things didn’t go well — he only won 4 of his 16 games and was fired. Still, he speaks Dutch fluently and has a lot of potential. Ajax might see him as a long-term project.
🇩🇪 Edin Terzic – The Champions League Finalist
The last name on the list is Edin Terzic, who managed Borussia Dortmund until 2024. Under his leadership, Dortmund reached the UEFA Champions League Final, which was an amazing achievement.
In his 128 games as manager, Terzic won 75 and lost 29, which is a strong record. However, after that incredible run, he decided to step away from football for a while.
If Terzic joined Ajax, it would be a major move — a coach who took a team to the Champions League final now taking on one of Europe’s most legendary clubs. It could help him rebuild his reputation and bring Ajax back to European glory.
Combo Takeaway: Who Fits Ajax Best?
Here’s the quick combo breakdown:
Iñigo Pérez – Young, smart, and fits Ajax’s attacking DNA.
Xavi – A dream pick who could bring Barcelona-style flair.
Paul Simonis – A homegrown Dutch coach who knows the Eredivisie.
Mark van Bommel – Experienced but risky due to his PSV roots.
Will Still – Modern, youthful, and data-driven, but unproven in top jobs.
Edin Terzic – Proven at the highest level, could add Champions League experience.
For now, Ajax fans will have to wait and see who gets the call. Whether it’s a Spanish tactician, a Dutch strategist, or a European surprise, one thing is certain — Ajax wants to return to the top of European football.