In the press room at the De Toekomst training complex, the journalists first asked for a medical update on the squad. "Lucas Rosa and Owen Wijndal are doubtful, and Branco van den Boomen has rejoined group training. He is coming back from a significant injury and will not yet join the match squad. Wout Weghorst has trained with the group in recent days and is fit. Things are also going well with Kasper Dolberg. He trained fully this past week and can come on as a substitute. His substitute appearances need to become longer in the coming period so he can build up rhythm."
Technical staff
Then, earlier this week. Denny Landzaat has been added to Grim's technical staff. "Because of John Heitinga’s departure, Marcel Keizer and Frank Peereboom have also left. Paul Nuijten has stepped up from the Under-19s, and I wanted to add another assistant. It had to be done quickly, and of course, someone had to be available. Then you think: with whom have you worked, who do you have a certain feeling with, who have you collaborated with? That’s why Landzaat has come in. And I’m very happy with that."
"Denny is someone who can contribute to the attacking play. That's now his responsibility as well. He moves easily among the lads, builds a connection with players in no time, and that is very important," Grim said. He was also asked about the outcome of last week's General Meeting of Shareholders. "It was communicated that the club will first look for a technical director, and then the rest will follow automatically. Whether that will happen quickly or slowly remains to be seen. It has been communicated that I have the lead until the winter break."
The division of roles within the staff is clear. "We have spoken with each other and made a division of tasks. Nuijten will focus on the defensive side, and Urby Emanuelson on individual players. And of course, our analysts, who are working on all the analysis."
Clarity
Grim used the international week to have conversations with both staff and players. "In the end, whether you're an interim manager or the manager, you have to set out your own line. Clarity, structure and discipline are part of that, in my view. We have done that this week. It’s about establishing clarity, because I am now responsible. Players and staff must know where they stand when I am in charge."
"But we also looked critically at the last match against FC Utrecht. We discussed it, analysed it, and then you start working on the points you think need to be taken forward. We had a few days for that, not many, because a lot of players were away on international duty," Grim said.
The former Ajax goalkeeper sees energy in his group. "If you look at the past week, I see an enthusiastic team. The intensity is high, and there is also laughter," Grim said with a smile when asked whether people in Amsterdam still laugh. "We are on the right track, and it would be great if that could be accompanied by success. Picking up points and then building from there. When am I satisfied? When we win matches and ultimately play good football. We are working hard on that, and I have confidence."
Upcoming matches
The first points can be collected on Saturday, from 18:45, against Excelsior. "I expect a response from my players. We are playing at home: we have to be dominant, play at a high tempo and give Excelsior no space." Two more home matches follow later in the same week. "The next match is always the most important one, and from there we will look ahead to Benfica and FC Groningen."
Finally, Grim was asked about a moment in 1995. As a reserve goalkeeper, he stood next to Louis van Gaal, giving instructions. "I've always said that Louis has had a huge influence on my managerial career, how you deal with players, the way of playing football, and how you approach things. He has been very important to me."
"Did I have the ambition back then to become Ajax's first-team manager? Of course, you are proud if you can be the manager of Ajax’s first team. But the people who really know me know that I've never been particularly focused on that, on goals or on planning my career. But it is special how things have turned out."
