Wim Kieft Calls for Michael Reiziger as Ajax’s New Coach

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands — Former Ajax striker Wim Kieft has made a case for Michael Reiziger to become the new coach for Ajax, citing the need for a manager who can restore the club’s traditional style of play.

Kieft, writing in his weekly column for De Telegraaf, expressed his thoughts on May 23, 2025. He believes Reiziger, who has a rich history with Ajax as both a player and a coach, is the ideal candidate. “I would go for Michael Reiziger. He has experienced everything at Ajax, played at the top level, and has spent several seasons on the bench as a coach,” Kieft said.

While Kieft also mentioned Paul Simonis as a potential option, he voiced skepticism. “He could be a decent coach, but he remains a young man from Go Ahead Eagles. Winning the KNVB Cup could have been a fluke,” Kieft noted. He added that coaching Ajax comes with its own unique challenges, especially when it comes to reinforcing the squad.

Simonis, 40, recently extended his contract with Go Ahead Eagles until 2027. Kieft raised concerns about whether Simonis could handle the pressure at Ajax, especially with the current limitations in the transfer market. “You need to realize that there aren’t really many opportunities to go into the transfer market. The squad is not up to par, and who guarantees that Simonis can make it work?” he questioned.

Kieft expressed certainty about Reiziger, as the Dutch Football Association desires to keep him as the coach for Jong Oranje until the summer of 2027, complicating potential negotiations with Ajax.

Kieft also touched on the future of striker Brian Brobbey, citing comments from Ajax’s technical director Alex Kroes that the club is considering selling the player. Brobbey, who managed just four goals in the Eredivisie during the past season, has underperformed given his salary, according to Kieft.

<p“Who would want to buy Brobbey after a season where he scored only four goals?” Kieft asked. He acknowledged that Brobbey's struggles may have been exacerbated by the team's tactics under coach Farioli, which were not conducive to an attacking style. Kieft did defend Brobbey’s potential value to Ajax, suggesting that the young striker could thrive under a coach focused on an attractive, attacking game.

<p“In my opinion, Ajax should keep him for another year under a coach who wants to play Ajax football,” Kieft concluded, optimistic about the potential for Brobbey’s development.