ajax haalt twee oud-spelers naar de top van de technische staf
Amsterdam, donderdag, 5 maart 2026.
Ajax brengt frisse wind in de organisatie met de aanstelling van Siem de Jong en Daniël de Ridder als technische managers. Beiden keeren terug naar de club waar ze ooit speelden, nu in een leidersrol naast technisch directeur Jordi Cruijff. Hun taak is breed: van scouting tot transfergesprekken, altijd met de kernwaarde van interne kennis. Wat opvalt is hun traject: geen plotselinge benoeming, maar het resultaat van een intensief traineeship van tweeënhalf jaar. Die diepe kennismaking met de clubcultuur maakt hen tot vertrouwensfiguren binnen de staf. Het signaal is duidelijk: Ajax bouwt op mensen die weten wat er speelt, op en buiten het veld.
two former players take on key roles in ajax’s technical staff
Ajax has appointed former players Siem de Jong and Daniël de Ridder as technical managers under new technical director Jordi Cruijff [1]. Both will support Cruijff in shaping the club’s sporting strategy [2]. De Jong, aged 37, will oversee scouting for the first team and Jong Ajax temporarily [2]. De Ridder, 41, will focus on preparing and executing player transfers [2]. Their appointments follow a 2.5-year traineeship across various departments at the club [2].
deep roots and internal development shape new leadership
Both De Jong and De Ridder came through Ajax’s youth academy and played for the senior team [1]. De Jong appeared in 276 matches and scored 88 goals across three spells [2]. De Ridder made 35 appearances before leaving for Celta de Vigo at age 21 [2]. They began their organizational training in 2023, gaining insight into both football operations and administrative functions [2]. This background strengthens their ability to bridge on-field and off-field perspectives [1].
building trust through continuity and shared values
The club sees these appointments as a way to integrate deeper institutional knowledge into its leadership [1]. Cruijff stated that both men understand what happens on the pitch and behind the scenes [2]. They are expected to serve as sounding boards for players and coaching staff [1]. Other former Ajax players also completed the same traineeship, including Ricardo van Rhijn and Kelly Zeeman, who now work in commercial and media roles respectively [2].