The Illustrious History of AFC Ajax: A Chronicle of Triumphs and Trials

Introduction

Amsterdamsche Football Club Ajax, commonly referred to as Ajax, is a Dutch professional football club based in Amsterdam1. Founded on March 18, 1900, Ajax is one of the largest and most storied clubs in European football12. This blog will delve into the history of Ajax, spotlighting their best players, coaches, and titles throughout history.

The Early Years

Ajax was founded by a group of young men unhappy with the Catholic church-sponsored Trinity Youth, where they played football under the stern and unsympathetic eye of the local parish priest1. After their founding and acceptance into Dutch Football, Ajax spent ten seasons in the country’s second division before earning promotion for the 1911 season2. The fate of the club quickly changed with the arrival of trainer Jack Reynolds who would spend 35 years at the helm of the team2.

Legendary Players

Ajax has been home to some of the world’s finest football players. From legendary forwards to stalwart defenders, Ajax has had some of the best players in the history of Dutch football3.

Johan Cruyff

Johan Cruyff is undoubtedly one of the most iconic players in the history of Ajax. He made 365 appearances for Ajax before coaching them for three years between 1985 and 19883. During his time in Amsterdam, the three-time Ballon d’Or winner helped the club win eight league titles and three European trophies3.

Marco Van Basten

Marco Van Basten, known as one of the most prolific goalscorers of all time, netted 118 goals in just 112 appearances for Ajax3. He joins Cruyff as a three-time Ballon d’Or winner, including consecutive victories in 1988 and 19893.

Frank Rijkaard

Frank Rijkaard, by the end of his time at Ajax, had won five league titles, three KNVB Cups, the Champions League and the European Cup Winners’ Cup3. Considered one of the great defensive midfielders of his generation, Rijkaard made more than 300 appearances for the club after making his debut at 173.

Notable Coaches

Ajax has been guided by some of the most influential coaches in football history. These coaches have left an indelible mark on the club and have been instrumental in its success1.

Jack Reynolds

Jack Reynolds, the Englishman who was Ajax’s first-ever manager, enjoyed three separate stints as the club boss1. Reynolds was considered a pioneer of the game. He is acknowledged as one of the first managers to play an early style of what later became ‘Total Football’1.

Rinus Michels

Rinus Michels, who joined the club in 1965, won the club’s seventh championship title in 2010–111. During his first period at the club, Michels led the team to four Eredivisie titles, three KNVB Cups and, of course, their first European Cup in the season 1970–711.

Titles and Achievements

Ajax has won 35 league titles and have also triumphed in Europe, lifting the European Cup/Champions League on four occasions and the UEFA Cup and the now defunct European Cup Winners’ Cup once apiece14. The club won their first Serie A title in the 1956-57 season, a feat they repeated in the 1962-63, 1994-95, 1995-96, 2001-02, 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2022-23 seasons14. In European competitions, Ajax won the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in the 1965-66 season and the UEFA Champions League in the 1996-97 season14.

Conclusion

The history of AFC Ajax is filled with memorable moments, legendary players, and iconic coaches. The club’s rich history and passionate fan base make it one of the most respected and loved football clubs in the Netherlands. As we look forward to the future, we can only expect that the legacy of AFC Ajax will continue to grow and inspire generations of football fans around the globe.