Beenhakker to become Ajax' Director of Technical Affairs

 24 August: Leo Beenhakker has signed a contract with Ajax for the third time in his career. After having been head coach in Amsterdam from 1979-1981 and 1989-1991, Beenhakker (58) now signed as director of technical affairs, starting on 1 September. He will be "responsible for long-term technical affairs," according to a press statement issued by Ajax this morning.

Beenhakker's return is controversial because the last employer of the Rotterdam native was Feyenoord. He resigned as a head coach in early April. When signing to coach in Rotterdam, he was quoted saying that Feyenoord had 'always been his club'. In 1991, as Beenhakker suddenly left Ajax for Real Madrid, chairman Michael van Praag stated that he felt "betrayed" by Beenhakker's sudden departure.

After having quit Feyenoord earlier this year, Beenhakker said he did not feel like a new job as a head coach, but preferred being a policymaker instead, which indicates the nature of his future activities for Ajax. The decision to invite Beenhakker to return was made in consultation with head coach Co Adriaanse and youth system manager Kees Zwamborn.

Ajax' created a vacancy for a director of technical affairs on the advice of the independent 'Committee 2000,' the research committee that was assigned to analyze and improve Ajax' club policy during the last season. (MP)