Ajax Coach Farioli Resigns After Eredivisie Title Collapse

Ajax coach Francesco Farioli has resigned after one season, following a dramatic collapse that saw the team lose a nine-point Eredivisie lead with five games remaining and ultimately finish second to PSV Eindhoven. Farioli cited differences in vision and timeframes regarding the club's future and operational approach as the main reasons for his departure, despite sharing the same overall goals with Ajax management. His resignation came amid reported disagreements with the board over player recruitment and contract renewals, particularly frustration over the club's refusal to sign new players during the January transfer window. Farioli, Ajax's first non-Dutch coach since 1998 and first Italian ever, was credited with bringing new energy, improving team performance, and helping the club qualify for the Champions League. Ajax technical director Alex Kroes expressed disappointment at Farioli's decision but acknowledged his role in fostering a high-performance culture at the club. Ajax will now search for a new head coach ahead of a challenging summer transfer window.