We meet at sports complex De Toekomst. Since this summer, that has been Van Oudheusden's workplace. His path began a long time ago. "I was fifteen when I got into this industry. First at my amateur club and then at Willem II.” He worked there until 2022, when he received a remarkable call from Asia. "Singapore, Lion City Sailors. I was approached about taking charge of their Under-17s. We had an online conversation, and then I did some research into Singapore. And literally everything I found was positive. At that time, I was single, and I often gave training courses in the United States during the summers, so an adventure abroad appealed to me. I took the step. And those two years, honestly, might have been the most bizarre period of my life. I don’t think anything will ever come close to it."
Two years in Singapore
The Tilburg native smiles and continues calmly when asked why that period was so special. "I started with the Under-17s, and after three or four weeks, the head coach was dismissed. I was then moved up to the first team as an assistant coach. That was never in my mind. I combined it with my role at the Under-17s and later also as coach of the Under-21s."
Only when Aleksandar Ranković joined the club did Van Oudheusden’s focus move fully to the first team. "The great thing was that we then played in the Asian Champions League. We travelled to South Korea, Thailand and China and even won in Hong Kong. That was something unique and a fantastic experience. I really enjoyed it there. I took everything in, and I enjoyed it enormously," he laughs. "And I was also interim head coach for one match," he adds when we remind him. “About a week and a half before Ranković arrived, I was in charge of one match. Of course, you want to win that, you’re the man of one game and a defeat. Fortunately, we won."
The differences between the Netherlands and Singapore are enormous, according to Van Oudheusden. Apart from the geographical location and the language, the way players are coached is also worlds apart. "It is really very different, they are very compliant there," says Van Oudheusden firmly. "The biggest difference with the Netherlands is that players here ask for explanations. There, they just wanted to follow the plan, and there was little interaction. At the beginning, we were quite critical in our analyses and asked targeted questions. Very quickly afterwards, the captain came to say that we should just tell them what to do and they would follow."
"They are very respectful, but that burning desire to really make it was sometimes missing," he continues. "Football is not the ultimate boys' dream there. It is a nice alternative, but if you get a good job in banking, that is just as good."
Van Oudheusden also had to deal with compulsory national service. Players in Singapore have to serve two years between the ages of sixteen and twenty-two. That sometimes led to strange and, in hindsight, amusing situations. "They can hardly play football then. We had a very good player: he made his debut in the first team at sixteen, but then had to do his service, so he was gone for two years. Some tried to come to training, but that depended on their role in the army. Someone once cancelled because he had to work on a tank, go on a shooting exercise, or even drive a tank. They would sometimes send photos if they couldn’t come; a crazy world. But that is why they are very disciplined and have a lot of respect for authority," he laughs.
Example
"But I really think Singapore is an example for all countries," he says. "They have things very well organised. What stands out is public transport: it costs almost nothing and is accessible to everyone. That means there are few traffic jams and people are almost always on time. It is very safe, and the rules are strict. There is a very pleasant atmosphere, and they really have that right."
Even so, Van Oudheusden decided to bring his adventure in the futuristic city to an end. "I noticed that it was becoming too comfortable for me." NEC then got in touch. "I wanted to challenge myself again. I worked for a season (2024/2025) in Nijmegen with the Under-19s, and last summer Ajax came." Why Ajax? "For me, Ajax is the pinnacle of youth football. Worldwide. This is where I wanted to work: with the culture, the facilities and the unbelievable quality of top talents. For me, it was a no-brainer."
"And I'm enjoying it," he says with a smile as he leans back. "At the start, it took a bit of getting used to. In principle, everything is bigger than at NEC. I had to adjust to the travel time and to the group, because the boys here are different from those around Nijmegen."
Ajax Under-16
At the end of August, the group travelled to Morocco for the Abdelhak Nouri Tournament. There, Van Oudheusden got to know his players, and the foundations were laid for the season. "It was a very nice tournament in itself. Abdelhak's father came along, and in Morocco, I really felt a total Ajax frenzy. Everyone wanted us to go through. People prayed for us, and my players realised how much respect we received. And for me, it was very valuable to have extra time with them.” Not unimportant: Ajax Under-16 won the tournament. "Success always contributes to a good team feeling," he says honestly.
When Van Oudheusden has to describe himself as a coach, he thinks for a moment. He looks around and speaks in a calm tone. "I am quite clear. At this age, it is about players understanding the game and learning what their role is. That is what I have to provide: with football exercises, football behaviours and implicit coaching. On Saturdays, I give the boys a lot of freedom; we do not analyse the opponent, and everyone plays the same amount. They really have to discover themselves. It is about the development of the group and the player."
"I set the bar very high when we are working and also in the moments around that," he continues. "What does that mean? Going to bed on time, eating well, taking responsibility for your own development, and analysing footage; we spend a lot of time on that. That is a big part of my job. Everyone wants to reach the top, but what are they prepared to give for it? That requires certain behaviour, and we constantly try to reflect that back to them. It is a challenging age, and you want to build relationships with them. You also have to invest in that, every day."
Ajax Under-16 finished the first half of the season in second place. His team scored many goals, but also conceded too many, according to the coach. Scoring a lot is typical of his teams, he acknowledges. "In short, what I do everywhere is attack. We have seen that here as well. I am very focused on the effectiveness of our game. Crosses simply have to end up in the box, and you can see that many of our goals look similar. That is because we train on it so much."
"As a coach, you are always searching for the perfect match, but you will never get it," he continues when talking about his vision. "But you try to eliminate coincidence in as many situations as possible. The development I already see is that my players are increasingly recognising their role within the match. And that is important with a view to the Under-17s, where that is demanded even more."
Working with former professionals
Beside him is former Ajax first-team player Ismaïl Aissati, a coach with experience in professional football. Together with Van Oudheusden's didactic background, they form a strong duo. "That works brilliantly for me," he says, referring to the combination of someone who safeguards the club culture and a trained coach. "This week, Ronald de Boer, Jan Wouters and John Bosman were on the pitch with me. You have a surplus of experience, and that typifies Ajax, I think. I enjoy standing on the pitch with those names, and I really try to involve Ismaïl and let him tell anecdotes. I safeguard the process, the planning and the periodisation, and Ismaïl complements me well and gives feedback. That balance is very good, and I really need it."
The competition resumes on Saturday with a mini-Klassieker at home. The objectives are clear. "Let me first say that I think Ajax should always be champions. I put that pressure on myself, and the boys must also feel that extra responsibility when they pull on the shirt. But that is secondary, as it is about the players' individual development. During the last international break, we at Ajax were the biggest supplier to the Netherlands Under-16s. Those are good things, and that is what you do it for."
Finally, his own ambitions. "I want to develop myself to achieve the highest coaching diploma. And I am fully focused on how things work at Ajax, but I do not map out a path. I know how the football world works. I cherish where I am now, and I try very much to enjoy it."
