Italian coach Francesco Farioli has revealed he will leave his position as Ajax manager at the conclusion of the 2024-25 campaign after just one season in charge. The 36-year-old cited differences with club management regarding their vision and timeline for achieving goals as the reason for his departure.
Ajax finished second in the Eredivisie this season under Farioli, earning a Champions League spot for next year. However, they squandered a 9-point lead late in the season to finish one point behind champions PSV Eindhoven.
In a statement, Farioli said: “My time at Ajax began nearly a year ago with the aim of restoring the club to its rightful place. While we share the same goals for Ajax`s future, the management and I have differing views on how to achieve those objectives. Given these fundamental differences, I feel this is the appropriate time to part ways.”
Ajax technical director Alex Kroes expressed disappointment at Farioli`s decision, praising the coach`s impact: “Francesco and his staff have been tremendously helpful. We accomplished our goal of Champions League qualification in an intense season with many memorable moments. He also played a key role in elevating our high-performance culture, for which we are very grateful.”
Kroes acknowledged the added challenge of finding a new coaching staff before pre-season training begins on June 26. Ajax will now look to appoint a successor who can build on Farioli`s work and lead the club back to the top of Dutch football.