Maurice Steijn (49) had sinds zondagavond zijn twijfels, maar wilde maandag – ondanks de pijnlijke nederlaag bij FC Utrecht (4-3) en de zeventiende plaats in de eredivisie – in principe door als trainer van Ajax. Maar dan wel zónder Hedwiges Maduro en Steven Berghuis, die hij ervan betichtte een mes in zijn rug te hebben gestoken. Die eis was echter onbespreekbaar voor de Ajax-leiding, waarna in goed overleg werd besloten het tot de zomer van 2026 lopende contract van Steijn te ontbinden.
I’ve been wondering what’s the link there. I can imagine you’d back your former colleagues. But why are guys like Sneijder and Van der Vaart so determined to back Steijn?
Because they have good contacts with him, Sneijder and Vd Vaart were close enough to him that they were being actively asked to be one of his assistants.
And Vd Meijde was literally getting most of his recent “scoops” from Steijn.
Yes I understand. But I’m more wondering how it happened. Can’t really connect how they became friends. Maybe because they were in the ‘zandbak’ around the same time?
I’ve been wondering what’s the link there. I can imagine you’d back your former colleagues. But why are guys like Sneijder and Van der Vaart so determined to back Steijn?
They are not, they are just free thinkers withs lots of experience that dont buy the emotional oversimplifications that the fans want. They all recognise Steijn had to go because he wasnt performing and that Steijn was dealt an impossible hand due to all the chaos, high expectations and lack of quality surrounding him.
Van der Vaart and Sneijder did not think Steijn had to go at all, they were constantly saying that he’s a good manager but that the players are the problem. I have never heard either of them say a bad word about Steijn.
I’d rather look at what people with actual tactical knowledge have to say like Suley or Pieter Zwart instead of the populistic nonsense that comes out of Van der Vaart and Sneijder.
I’d rather look at what people with actual tactical knowledge have to say like Suley or Pieter Zwart instead of the populistic nonsense that comes out of Van der Vaart and Sneijder. They’re not free thinkers, they don’t really think at all.
That’s called cherry picking, and is not a good habit to pick up.
I’ve been wondering what’s the link there. I can imagine you’d back your former colleagues. But why are guys like Sneijder and Van der Vaart so determined to back Steijn?
I think they’ve picked a side (the Dutch side) in a Steijn/Telegraaf vs Mislintat/new players battle they’ve cooked up.
And we all know Sneijder and Van der Vaart were incredible players but aren’t nearly as gifted in the brain department.
Because they have good contacts with him, Sneijder and Vd Vaart were close enough to him that they were being actively asked to be one of his assistants.
And Vd Meijde was literally getting most of his recent “scoops” from Steijn.
Yes I understand. But I’m more wondering how it happened. Can’t really connect how they became friends. Maybe because they were in the ‘zandbak’ around the same time?
With Sneijder and Steijn, quite possible, and then Vd Vaart/Vd Meijde via Sneijder.
They are not, they are just free thinkers withs lots of experience that dont buy the emotional oversimplifications that the fans want. They all recognise Steijn had to go because he wasnt performing and that Steijn was dealt an impossible hand due to all the chaos, high expectations and lack of quality surrounding him.
Van der Vaart and Sneijder did not think Steijn had to go at all, they were constantly saying that he’s a good manager but that the players are the problem. I have never heard either of them say a bad word about Steijn.
I’d rather look at what people with actual tactical knowledge have to say like Suley or Pieter Zwart instead of the populistic nonsense that comes out of Van der Vaart and Sneijder.
That’s called cherry picking, and is not a good habit to pick up.