Dutch Ajax appoints former player Shekib as coach of the team

The Dutch football club Ajax Amsterdam announced today, Monday, the appointment of its player and former assistant coach, John van Et Scheijp, as the team’s technical director temporarily until the end of the current season.

Ajax announced the dismissal of Maurice Steen’s services a few days ago, and the team that won the most wins in the Dutch League, with 36 titles, fell to last place in the league following its defeat by PSV Eindhoven 2-5 yesterday, Sunday, in a match it played under the leadership of assistant coach Hedwigs Maduro.

Ajax said in a statement: “Ajax announces the appointment of John van Et Schekheib as interim technical director of the team. The former Ajax player will sign a contract with the club that will last from October 30, 2023 until June 30, 2025. The two parties have agreed to transfer Van Et Shekheib to a position in the Technical Affairs Department as of July 1, 2024.

Former Dutch national team winger Van Et Scheijp played for Ajax between 1981 and 1992 and returned to the club after that as youth team coach and assistant coach. He also took over as coach of the team temporarily in 2009 after Marco van Basten resigned.

Van Et Scheib said: “I am very happy to conclude the contract, and I am excitedly looking forward to starting work at the club where it all started for me. “The conversations with the people involved resulted in tremendous emotions for me.”

He added: “Ajax needs to find its way again, and I am very happy to help in this.”