Farioli first hinted at doubts about his future at Ajax midway through last week, according to technical director Alex Kroes. "On Wednesday evening, after the disappointment in Groningen, I got a message from him saying he wanted to sit down together. At that point, I had no idea what it was about. Then on Thursday, he told me he was seriously doubting whether to continue."
Kroes still hoped Farioli might change his mind. “I told him: ‘We lost yesterday, just take some time to reflect. Sunday is a very important match. Let’s talk again afterwards'."
That follow-up conversation did happen, but Farioli hadn’t changed his position. "Looking back, that Thursday morning session turned out to be more decisive from his point of view than I realised at the time."
'Very emotional'
Next came the task of informing the relevant parties, a process Kroes described as ‘very emotional’. “Some of his own team heard yesterday, but the players and the rest of the staff only found out this morning. It was a lot for everyone to take in."
Kroes was full of praise for the impact Farioli has had at Ajax. “The end of the season feels really bitter, especially when you look at the last four or five games. But there’s also a great sense of pride when you look at the season as a whole and where we came from. Thanks to Francesco and his team, we’ve brought the culture back to where it belongs – elite sport. And he’s restored an energy to the club that people will benefit from for some time."
"In that regard, I’m just grateful for everything he’s brought us. I admire him greatly", Kroes continued. "He and I both know how difficult things were at times. Not between us, as the media sometimes suggests, but especially in dealing with the outside world, and to some extent internally. In that sense, I do feel a bit like I’ve failed him, that we can’t continue this journey together."
Search begins now
These recent developments only add to the already difficult summer ahead. "We were already facing an extremely challenging summer, and now on top of that we have to replace the coaching staff."
Ajax will begin looking for a successor in the coming period. "I read all sorts of names in the media that I’m supposedly in talks with. But the search really only began this morning, once things became concrete", Kroes stated.
