ajax liet een toptalent gaan en niemand neemt de verantwoordelijkheid

2026-04-25 sport

Amsterdam, zaterdag, 25 april 2026.
Bendegúz Kovács scoorde tien keer in 21 wedstrijden voor Ajax O19. Daarna werd hij weggestuurd. Nu maakt hij acht doelpunten in veertien duels voor Jong AZ. Columnist Henk Spaan noemt het besluit raadselachtig. Twee oud-jeugdtrainers van Ajax spreken vol bewondering over hem. Niemand binnen het management meldt zich verantwoordelijk. Kovács debuteerde ondertussen in de eredivisie. Voor scouts valt zijn ijzere kalmte op bij het doel. Ajax verliest een spits van 1,99 meter met techniek en afmakerstrant. De vraag blijft: wie droeg de verantwoordelijkheid?

a promising striker released

Bendegúz Kovács scored ten goals in twenty-one appearances for Ajax U19 before being removed from the club’s system [1]. The 1.99-meter Hungarian forward joined AZ Alkmaar, where he quickly demonstrated his scoring ability. For Jong AZ in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, Kovács netted eight goals in fourteen matches [3]. His physical presence combined with technical skill made his release puzzling to observers. Two former Ajax youth coaches expressed admiration for his abilities, calling his departure baffling [1].

criticism from veteran columnist

Columnist Henk Spaan publicly questioned Ajax’s decision-making process regarding Kovács [1]. In his regular column for Het Parool, Spaan stated the choice defied logic and asked who would take responsibility [3]. He emphasized that Kovács earned an 8/10 rating for his debut season in Alkmaar based on performance [1]. Spaan rejected arguments about internal competition with Emre Ünüvar as justification for letting Kovács leave [1]. According to him, such reasoning fails to justify losing a proven goal-scoring talent [1].

rapid integration at new club

At AZ Alkmaar, Kovács integrated swiftly into both reserve and senior structures [6]. He debuted for the first team against Go Ahead Eagles on April 23, 2026, entering as a substitute in the 74th minute [6]. That Eredivisie appearance followed his earlier participation in European competition for AZ [6]. During his time with Jong AZ, he averaged a goal every seventy-five minutes played [4]. Scouts noted his exceptional composure near the opponent’s goal as a standout trait [1].

technical profile of a modern forward

Despite his height, Kovács displays refined technical capabilities suitable for advanced attacking roles [1]. Observers highlight his comfort playing centrally behind the main striker [1]. One AZ scout specifically praised his icy calmness when finishing chances inside the box [1]. This blend of size, technique, and mental control marks him as a rare dual-threat forward [GPT]. His agent, Leaderbrock Sports, also represents prominent Spanish talents like Pedri and Ferran Torres [3]. Such representation underscores his perceived potential abroad [3].

questions remain unanswered

No official at Ajax has claimed accountability for releasing Kovács [1]. Spaan predicted silence from management offices, questioning organizational judgment [1]. With Kovács already contributing offensively at multiple levels for AZ, the cost of the decision grows clearer [6]. Ajax loses a physically dominant yet technically skilled striker developed internally [1]. As Kovács continues progressing, the absence of ownership around this decision stands in sharp contrast to his visible success elsewhere [3].

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voetbal Ajax