Francesco Farioli announces Ajax exit day after missing out on league title
Ajax manager Francesco Farioli has announced his decision to leave the club after just a single season in charge.
The news comes just a day after Ajax's collapse in the title run-in led to PSV Eindhoven winning the Dutch title on a tense final day in the Eredivisie. Ajax blew a nine-point lead at the top of the table, and despite winning their final game of the season against FC Twente on Sunday, still had to settle for second place due to PSV's 3-1 away victory over Sparta Rotterdam on the same day.
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Farioli repeatedly refused to confirm he would be staying on following Sunday's game and leaves saying he and the club's hierarchy have 'different visions' on how to take the club forward.
'My journey at Ajax started almost one year ago, at De Toekomst, with the aim of bringing Ajax back to where it belongs. And it ended at the Johan Cruijff Arena, finally bringing Ajax back to the Champions League, the biggest stage of European football,' the Italian coach said.
'Being Ajax's first non-Dutch coach since 1998 and the club's first-ever Italian one has been an absolute privilege: together with my staff we embraced this huge challenge with respect, responsibility, passion, and determination to succeed.
'The management and I have the same goals for the future of Ajax, but we have different visions and timeframes about the way we should work and operate to achieve those goals. Given these differences in the principles and foundations of the project, I feel deep in my heart that this is the best moment to part ways.'
Francesco Farioli ❤️ pic.twitter.com/wdpaKIFrqL
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) May 18, 2025
After starting his coaching career in Turkey, he had a successful season in charge of French club Nice, where he helped guide the side to fifth in Ligue 1 in the 2023/24 campaign.
Ajax technical director Alex Kroes said on the 36-year-old's departure: 'I find this incredibly disappointing. Francesco and his staff have been a great help to us. It's been an intense season filled with many memorable moments, and we achieved our goal: qualifying for next season's Champions League.
'Francesco also played a key role in enhancing the high-performance culture at Ajax, for which we are extremely grateful. This summer was already set to be a challenging transfer window, and it has now become even more so.
'It is up to us to ensure that a strong new coaching team is in place when pre-season preparations begin on 26 June.'
(Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images)
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