Youth Coaching Roles
"Last year, we began pairing coaches in complementary duos within the staff," explains Beuker. "The head coach needs to oversee the whole picture and translate our training methodology onto the pitch, supported by someone who can zoom in on the finer details, often based on their own experience. A combination, then, of a didactic coach and someone focused on specifics. We started that approach last season, and you can now clearly see a consistent working method, with individual attention and tailored development for players. That combination worked well last year, but with the reorganisation of the technical staff pairings, the duos will be even more aligned next season. Ultimately, we consider the academy as a whole: well-balanced pairs that complement each other, understanding what the group needs and which coach fits that best," Beuker explains. "There's no such thing as promotion or relegation for youth coaches – it’s simply about assigning coaches based on their expertise."
Specialisation
Beuker continues discussing this specific expertise. "We want specialists in every age group. The middle phase, for instance, is a specialism in itself, focusing on developing game insight and spatial awareness. The same goes for the foundation phase, where technique and motor skills are the central focus. We aim to match the specific expertise and qualities of our coaches to the demands of the different age categories. We want coaches who want to become the best in the world at their age level. As outlined before in the 'Cruijff Plan', we don't want youth coaches chasing a career or trying to prove how good they are via their team's performance for that season. It’s all about the players and their development."
Changes
There have also been some changes at the De Toekomst training complex. In the foundation phase, Jeffrey Sarpong and Yener Devecioglu have joined as assistant coaches. They replace Thomas Niehe and Dylan Nieuwenhuijs, who have left the club.
Several changes have also taken place in the middle and upper phases of the academy, following the reshuffling at Jong Ajax. New to the club are Daan van Oudheusden, who will become head coach of Ajax U16, and Taylor Sexton, who joins as assistant coach of Ajax U15. They arrive from NEC and Ipswich Town respectively.
Jong Ajax
From next season, Jong Ajax will also have a new coaching staff. Willem Weijs (last year with U19) started several weeks ago as head coach, and he will be assisted by Yuri Rose and Kiki Musampa. "By promoting Weijs, we aim to take the next step in the development process of Jong Ajax."
Another step within that process is the change in methodology and programme for Jong Ajax. "From next season, Jong Ajax will fall under the youth academy. That means: the team plays professional football, but training and development will follow the youth academy's methodology," states Beuker.
Continuing Development
"We've evaluated together and want to take a new step forward. In the past, Jong Ajax often trained with too few players. That's why, at the start of last season, we wanted to get the squad in order from a numbers perspective. So that training could always take place with a full group of players. The focus was on correcting the quantity of players. As a result, we promoted a number of players earlier than ideal. That wasn’t optimal for everyone, but it created a more balanced training squad."
"In the coming seasons, starting with this one, we want to ensure that the squads of U19 and Jong Ajax – the two flagships of the youth academy – are strong in terms of quality. And in the case of Jong Ajax, the team should be more mature. The final phase of the youth academy is about learning how to win, and learning as a team and as individuals to think about tactics and strategy. From learning to win, to having to win. What is needed to win together? What is needed in different phases of the match? Going through that development as a team ultimately serves the individual development towards Ajax 1 best," says Beuker.
"To ensure that there are strong squads in the future for U19 and Jong Ajax, we've already heavily invested in bringing in the 'right' players. We’re planning several seasons ahead," Beuker concludes.
All trainers:
Ajax U8:
Digiano Ladru & Luca de Graav
Ajax U9:
Jack Bijsterveld & Johan Castillo
Ajax U10:
Mitchell Donald & Yener Devecioglu
Ajax U11:
Dennis de Haan & Jeffrey Sarpong
Ajax U12:
Boban Lazic & Ryan Robinson
Ajax U13:
Mark van Lith & Genero Zeefuik
Ajax U14:
Rik Verhage & Lesly de Sa
Ajax U15:
Frank Korpershoek & Taylor Sexton
Ajax U16:
Daan van Oudheusden & Ismaïl Aissati
Ajax U17:
Stan Bijl & Atilla Yildirim
Ajax U19:
Paul Nuijten & Deniz Aslan
Ajax U21:
Willem Weijs, Yuri Rose & Kiki Musampa
Goalkeeping Coaches:
Glenn Berkelaar (Foundation Phase & Youth Development Phase)
Mike van Houten (Youth Development Phase & Professional Development Phase)
Stefan Postma (Ajax U21)
Technical Management:
Joost van Dam (Head of Foundation Phase)
Stef Wijlaars (Head of Youth Development Phase/Professional Development Phase)
Fred Grim (Head of Coaching)
