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Louis van Gaal on leaving Ajax: “I was not given

26 August 2026·4 min read·Beatriz Ramos
Louis van Gaal on leaving Ajax: “I was not given

After several months of serving as an adviser to Ajax's raad van commissarissen (supervisory board), Louis van Gaal said goodbye in early July—a decision he said came with regret.

Louis van Gaal sa pagkalas sa Ajax: “Hindi ako nabigyan ng

Ayon sa Vi.

Bakit mahalaga ito

Ang pag-alis ni Louis van Gaal sa Ajax ay may malaking epekto sa hinaharap ng club, lalo na sa kanilang mga desisyon sa transfer market. Bilang isang batikang coach, ang kanyang mga pananaw at rekomendasyon ay maaaring naglalaman ng mahahalagang estratehiya na makakatulong sa player development at pagbuo ng isang mas matatag na koponan. Ang kanyang pakiramdam na hindi siya pinahahalagahan ay nagmumungkahi ng mas malalim na isyu sa pamamahala ng club na maaaring makaapekto sa kanilang tagumpay sa Eredivisie football.

Key Points

  • Louis van Gaal on leaving Ajax: “I was not given.
  • Louis van Gaal left as Ajax adviser because he felt his advice was not valued.
  • Louis van Gaal over de breuk met Ajax: 'Ik werd niet op waarde geschat'.
After several months of serving as an adviser to Ajax's raad van commissarissen (supervisory board), Louis van Gaal said goodbye in early July—a decision he said came with regret. According to the seasoned coach, his recommendations are often ignored or completely ignored by the club, causing him to leave the role. His explanation for leaving was discussed in more detail in the special edition of Voetbal International released to coincide with his 75th birthday on August 8. Van Gaal's formal relationship with Ajax resumed in October 2023. At that time, he was personally recruited by Michael van Praag and Leo van Wijk—both members of the supervisory board—to assist as an advisor to the board. It comes at a time when the club has just finished the contract of technical director Sven Mislintat after a few months in the position. Subsequently, Ajax launched an investigation into the financial aspects of the transfers in which Mislintat allegedly had great influence. As adviser to the supervisory board, Van Gaal does not oversee day-to-day operations. Instead, his role is to provide guidance and insight into the club's strategic decisions. However, Van Gaal emphasized that if the advice is not heeded, the point of his presence is lost. This was the root of his decision: the feeling that he was not being valued enough for the direction Ajax was taking.
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Van Gaal is an important figure in the history of Dutch football—former coach of the Netherlands and once in charge of Ajax—so his voice carries a lot of weight in club affairs. This time, his departure shows that the situation remains sensitive in the management of Ajax after a series of organizational decisions in recent years. While no specific details were released about the recommendations that were not followed, the message was clear: his stance and the club's actions did not match. For Ajax, Van Gaal's departure means the loss of a veteran mentor with extensive experience in building culture and standards at a European giant. As for Van Gaal, he upholds the principle that an advisor must have a real role and weight in decisions. The full story and context of his reasons can be read in the special issue of Voetbal International, which served as the perfect moment for him to reflect on the path he has taken and the decision made in the present. Ultimately, the breakdown of the relationship between the two sides reflects the importance of clear direction and respect in the decision-making process. As Ajax's own review of their internal processes continues—including transfer transactions scrutinized after Mislintat's departure—the key question remains how to rebuild trust and alignment within the club. By now, it is clear that Van Gaal has chosen the path that aligns with his beliefs and standards of professionalism.

What's next

With the departure of Van Gaal, Ajax may look for a new adviser capable of providing fresh insight into their strategies. With the upcoming summer transfer window, the club needs to focus on the necessary midfield signings to improve their performance. Transfer decisions, especially with new players, will be critical in their aim to make up for past league shortcomings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who said goodbye to Ajax?

Louis van Gaal said goodbye to Ajax.

When did Louis van Gaal say goodbye to Ajax?

Louis van Gaal said goodbye to Ajax this early July.

Why did Louis van Gaal leave Ajax?

Louis van Gaal left feeling undervalued and that his recommendations were often ignored.

What was Louis van Gaal's role at Ajax before he left?

As adviser to the supervisory board, Louis van Gaal's role is to provide guidance and insight into the club's strategic decisions.

Who persuaded Louis van Gaal to return to Ajax?

Michael van Praag and Leo van Wijk personally encouraged him to help as an advisor to the board.

Kaugnay na Balita

Kaugnay na Balita

Mga Madalas na Itanong

Sino ang nagpaalam sa Ajax?
Si Louis van Gaal ang nagpaalam sa Ajax.
Kailan nagpaalam si Louis van Gaal sa Ajax?
Nagpaalam si Louis van Gaal sa Ajax nitong unang bahagi ng Hulyo.
Bakit umalis si Louis van Gaal sa Ajax?
Umalis si Louis van Gaal dahil sa pakiramdam na hindi siya nabigyan ng sapat na halaga at madalas na hindi pinapakinggan ang kanyang mga rekomendasyon.
Ano ang papel ni Louis van Gaal sa Ajax bago siya umalis?
Bilang adviser ng supervisory board, ang papel ni Louis van Gaal ay magbigay ng gabay at pananaw sa mga desisyong pang-istratehiya ng club.
Sino ang humikayat kay Louis van Gaal na bumalik sa Ajax?
Personal siyang hinikayat nina Michael van Praag at Leo van Wijk na tumulong bilang tagapayo sa lupon.
Why would Ajax be interested?
Ajax appears in this story as the club linked with the move, with squad planning in the Eredivisie part of the wider context.
What is the transfer fee or deal status?
No confirmed fee or contract length is stated in the available reporting — fans should wait for an official club announcement.
TeamsEredivisieAjax

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