Jong AFC Ajax
Encyclopedia
Jong Ajax are the reserve team of AFC Ajax. In the past the team has competed in the KNVB Cup
, reaching the quarter-finals on three occasions, and the semi-finals in 2001–02.
The youth system is especially famous for having produced many great Dutch internationals like Sjaak Swart
, Johan Cruijff, Johan Neeskens
, Frank Rijkaard
, Dennis Bergkamp
, Frank
and Ronald de Boer
, Edgar Davids
, Clarence Seedorf
, and Patrick Kluivert
, as well as current Oranje regulars Rafael van der Vaart
, Wesley Sneijder
, John Heitinga
, Nigel de Jong
, Maarten Stekelenburg, and Gregory van der Wiel
.
Central within the club is the style of play (4-3-3), training, behavior and house rules. Ajax strives to keep the way of playing football recognizable; attractive, offensive-minded, creative, fast, fair and preferably far away from the own goal on the opponents’ half.
Ajax has developed the so-called TIPS model, which stands for Technique, Insight, Personality and Speed. For each part there are ten criteria. P and S are generally innate properties, but I and T can always be developed further.
Ajax coaching sessions always consists of 8 important soccer ingredients. Together with TIPS, they form the core to the Ajax success philosophy.
1. Coordination training
2. Kicking, Passing and Throw-in
3. Moves to beat an opponent
4. Heading
5. Finishing
6. Position play
7. Position Game play
8. Small sided games
KNVB Cup
The KNVB Cup is a competition in the Netherlands organized by the Royal Dutch Football Association since 1899. It was based on the format of the English FA Cup. Outside of the Netherlands, it is often referred to as the Dutch Cup...
, reaching the quarter-finals on three occasions, and the semi-finals in 2001–02.
The youth system is especially famous for having produced many great Dutch internationals like Sjaak Swart
Sjaak Swart
Jesaia Swart is a former Dutch footballer who played for Ajax Amsterdam a total of more than 600 matches, a record for the club. Nicknamed Mr. Ajax, he was part of their European Cup victories in 1971, 1972, 1973...
, Johan Cruijff, Johan Neeskens
Johan Neeskens
Johannes Jacobus "Johan" Neeskens is a Dutch football manager and former midfielder. As a player, he was an important member of the Dutch national team that finished as runners-up in the 1974 and 1978 FIFA World Cups. Former England manager Alf Ramsey said Neeskens was "as good as any player" in...
, Frank Rijkaard
Frank Rijkaard
Franklin Edmundo Rijkaard is a Dutch football manager of Dutch and Surinamese descent and former player. Rijkaard has played for Ajax, Real Zaragoza and Milan, and represented his national side 73 times, scoring 10 goals. In his coaching career, he has been at the helm of the Dutch national side,...
, Dennis Bergkamp
Dennis Bergkamp
Dennis Nicolaas Bergkamp , is a former Dutch professional footballer who is currently the assistant manager to Frank de Boer at Ajax. At club level he played for Ajax, Internazionale, and Arsenal, and also represented the Netherlands at international level...
, Frank
Frank de Boer
Franciscus "Frank" de Boer is a Dutch former professional footballer, and the younger twin brother of Ronald de Boer. Since 6 December 2010 he is the Manager of AFC Ajax.-Club career:...
and Ronald de Boer
Ronald de Boer
Ronaldus "Ronald" de Boer is a former Dutch football midfielder who has played for the Dutch national team as well as a host of professional clubs in Europe. He is the older twin brother of Frank de Boer.-Club career:...
, Edgar Davids
Edgar Davids
Edgar Steven Davids is a retired Dutch footballer and current member of the supervisory board of Ajax. After beginning his career with the Amsterdam club, he subsequently played in Italy for Milan and Juventus before a loan spell with Barcelona. He went on to play for Internazionale and Tottenham...
, Clarence Seedorf
Clarence Seedorf
Clarence Clyde Seedorf OON is a Dutch footballer who currently plays as an attacking midfielder for Serie A club Milan. Seedorf is the first player to have won the Champions League with three different clubs - Ajax in 1995, Real Madrid in 1998 and Milan in 2003 and 2007...
, and Patrick Kluivert
Patrick Kluivert
Patrick Stephan Kluivert is a former Dutch footballer, currently head coach of the youth side of FC Twente. He played as a striker for AFC Ajax, A.C. Milan, FC Barcelona, Newcastle United, Valencia CF, PSV Eindhoven, and Lille OSC. Kluivert played for the Dutch national team from 1994 to 2004. He...
, as well as current Oranje regulars Rafael van der Vaart
Rafael van der Vaart
Rafael Ferdinand van der Vaart is a Dutch footballer who plays for English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur and the Dutch national team. His preferred position is as an attacking midfielder; he can, however, also operate in other positions, such as second striker...
, Wesley Sneijder
Wesley Sneijder
Wesley Sneijder is a Dutch footballer playing as an attacking midfielder for Internazionale. He was named UEFA midfielder of the season as well as one of the three best midfielders in the world for 2010 by FIFA....
, John Heitinga
John Heitinga
John Gijsbert Alan "Johnny" Heitinga is a Dutch footballer who plays as a defender for English Premier League club Everton and the Dutch national team. A product of Jong Ajax, he previously played for AFC Ajax and Atlético Madrid, before signing for Everton in 2009. Heitinga previously represented...
, Nigel de Jong
Nigel de Jong
Nigel de Jong is a Dutch footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Premier League club Manchester City and the Netherlands national team....
, Maarten Stekelenburg, and Gregory van der Wiel
Gregory van der Wiel
Gregory Kurtley van der Wiel is a Dutch international footballer who plays professionally for Ajax, as a right back.Born in Amsterdam to a father from Curaçao and a white Dutch mother, he is a product of the renowned Ajax youth system, who plays an attacking right back and is known for his speedy...
.
Ajax Online Academy
The inside knowledge about Ajax unique training methods are now available on the internet. This tool offers coaches a way to train their teams according to the Ajax philosophy as it is being used in Amsterdam.Central within the club is the style of play (4-3-3), training, behavior and house rules. Ajax strives to keep the way of playing football recognizable; attractive, offensive-minded, creative, fast, fair and preferably far away from the own goal on the opponents’ half.
Ajax has developed the so-called TIPS model, which stands for Technique, Insight, Personality and Speed. For each part there are ten criteria. P and S are generally innate properties, but I and T can always be developed further.
Ajax coaching sessions always consists of 8 important soccer ingredients. Together with TIPS, they form the core to the Ajax success philosophy.
1. Coordination training
2. Kicking, Passing and Throw-in
3. Moves to beat an opponent
4. Heading
5. Finishing
6. Position play
7. Position Game play
8. Small sided games
Youth/reserves squad
Staff
- Head coach: Gery Vink
- Assistant coach: Yannis AnastasiouYannis AnastasiouYannis Anastasiou is a Greek football coach and former player who is currently Manager at Dutch club Ajax 2.As a player, Anastasiou played as a striker, and was active professionally in Greece, Belgium and the Netherlands; he also represented the Greek national side at senior international...
- Teammanager: Dick SchoenakerDick SchoenakerDirk "Dick" Hendricus Schoenaker is a retired football midfielder from the Netherlands, who represented his native country at the 1978 FIFA World Cup in Argentina, wearing the number three jersey.- Career :...
- Physio: Peter Hoogland
Former head coaches
- Danny BlindDanny BlindDirk Franciscus "Danny" Blind is a football coach and former Dutch international player. He played as a defender for Sparta Rotterdam, AFC Ajax and the Dutch national team.Blind was born in Oost-Souburg, Netherlands...
- Aad de Mos
- Pieter HuistraPieter HuistraPieter Egge Huistra is a Dutch football coach and former winger, currently serving as manager of FC Groningen. He is best remembered for his time with Scottish club Rangers.-Playing career:...
- Adrie Koster
- Michel KreekMichel KreekMichel Kreek is a former Dutch footballer, who played one international match for the Netherlands national football team: on February 22, 1995 in the lost friendly against Portugal.-Honours:Ajax...
- Alfons GroenendijkAlfons GroenendijkAlfons Groenendijk is a former Dutch footballer, and now a manager, serving as head coach of the Dutch team FC Den Bosch.-Career:...
- Jan Olde RiekerinkJan Olde RiekerinkJan Olde Riekerink is a Dutch football coach and former professional player who is currently Head of Youth Development at Jong Ajax.-Playing career:...
- Sonny SilooySonny SilooyJan Jacobus Silooy is a former Dutch footballer, who is now an assistant manager for D.C. United of Major League Soccer.-Club:...
- Marco van Basten
- Louis van GaalLouis van GaalAloysius Paulus Maria "Louis" van Gaal OON is a Dutch football manager formerly in charge of Ajax, Netherlands, Barcelona, AZ and Bayern Munich...
- John van 't SchipJohn van 't SchipJohannes Nicolaas "John" van 't Schip is a former Dutch international footballer. He is the manager for the A-League team Melbourne Heart.- Early life :Born in Fort St...
- John van den BromJohn van den BromJohn van den Brom is a former professional footballer and currently head coach of Dutch Eredivisie-side Vitesse.-Club career:...
- Gerard van der LemGerard van der LemGerard van der Lem is a retired football winger from the Netherlands, who made his professional debut for FC Amsterdam on August 12, 1973 against PSV Eindhoven...
- Hans WesterhofHans WesterhofHans Westerhof is a Dutch football coach and currently technical director at Pachuca.As a player, Westerhof played for BV Veendam and BVO Cambuur of the Dutch First Division...
- Aron WinterAron WinterAron Mohamed Winter [VIN-ter] is a retired Dutch football midfielder and current head coach of Toronto FC...