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Danny Blind extends contract until 2004

24 April: Danny Blind, currently coaching the Ajax A1 youth team (U18), has extended his contract with Ajax. Blind and Ajax A1 clinched the Dutch championship in the National Eredivisie-A last weekend. Blind is to coach Ajax A1 for at least one more season. His new contract expires in the summer of 2004.

Danny Blind, with Ajax A1 team member. [Photo: Ajax.nl]

Blind's decision to stay comes as a pleasant surprise. Earlier this season, the former Ajax captain announced that he would like to coach an Eredivisie side next season. Blind is regarded by many as the future head coach of Ajax-1.

The 2001-2002 season has been an extremely succesful season for the Ajax youth. Young Ajax (the second team) drew attention with their impressive Amstel Cup campaign and clinched the championship in the Talents Competition. Ajax A1, Ajax B1, Ajax C1, Ajax D2 and Ajax F1 also finished at the top of their leagues. In all age categories for which there is a nation-wide league (A, B and C youth) Ajax is the champion.

The championship with Ajax A1 is Danny Blind's first title as a coach. As a player, Danny Blind (1961) is one of the most succesful players in the world. Joining Ajax in 1987, he won five Dutch championships, three Dutch Cups, three Dutch Super Cups, a European Cup Winners' Cup (1987), a UEFA Cup (1992), the Champions League (1995), the European Super Cup (1995) and the World Cup (1996).

Blind played 372 league games, 38 domestic cup games and 74 official European games for Ajax. He also played 42 matches for the Dutch national team. (MP)

(Source: Ajax.nl)