Sparta Rotterdam head coach Maurice Steijn is on the brink of joining Dutch giants Ajax, according to a report by De Telegraaf.
The 49-year-old tactician has reportedly agreed to a three-year contract that will see him take charge of the Amsterdam-based club.
Steijn did remarkably well considering his resources at Sparta Rotterdam, guiding the team to an impressive sixth-place finish in the Eredivisie.
They narrowly missed securing a spot in next season’s Europa Conference League.
By contrast, this season was challenging for Ajax. They started the campaign with Alfred Schreuder as their head coach, but his tenure was disappointing.
John Heitinga took over and helped stabilise things but did not improve the team enough to keep him.
Ajax finished third in the league and missed out on Champions League qualification for the upcoming season.
Steijn will face the daunting task of reinvigorating the team. His appointment represents a fresh start for the Dutch giants.
This new opportunity at Ajax marks Steijn’s fifth managerial role. He previously managed ADO Den Haag, VVV-Venlo, NAC Breda and Al-Wahda FC in the United Arab Emirates.
Steijn’s vast experience and tactical prowess have caught the attention of Ajax’s decision-makers.
The report suggests that an official announcement regarding Steijn’s appointment could be imminent, pending the finalisation of negotiations between Ajax and Sparta.
Steijn’s proven ability to maximise his team’s potential makes him an exciting choice to lead Ajax back to the summit of Dutch football.
Ajax are undergoing a reshuffle following chief executive officer Edwin van der Sar’s exit from the club.
Kelvin de Lang will join the club as the new head of scouting, with Henk Veldmate returning to FC Groningen.
