Ajax now looking at hiring one of Mikel Arteta’s key Arsenal staff members as new manager

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It has been a dreadful campaign for Ajax with the Dutch outfit sitting way down in fifth place in the Eredivisie table, and they are looking for a new manager – with an Arsenal man being considered.

The Dutch giants are miles off the pace, a whopping 31 points behind leaders PSV Eindhoven. They sit way down in fifth place having already ben knocked out by Aston Villa in Europe, losing 4-0 at Villa.

There is a fourth person in the dugout as things stand, but John van ‘t Schip is only in the role until the end of the season. With Jordan Henderson captain, Ajax are on the lookout for a new boss this summer.

One that can guide Ajax back into a title race in The Netherlands, next season. One that has the contacts to bring in some quality players that can help Ajax become the European powerhouse they once were.

Arsenal assistant Albert Stuivenberg on Ajax manager shortlist

A report from Voetbal International, as per Voetbal Primeur, states the names on Ajax’s current shortlist. It includes Frank de Boer, FC Twente boss Joseph Oosting and Castellon’s Dick Schreuder are included.

As is Manchester United’s assistant manager Mitchell van der Gaag – and Arsenal assistant boss Albert Stuivenberg. The 53-year-old has been ever-loyal to Mikel Arteta, joining when he became manager.

He’s stayed alongside Arteta for the last five years and remains a key part of the Gunners set-up. So much so, that he stood down as Ryan Giggs’ assistant in 2021 at Wales – allowing him to focus on only Arsenal.

But now, after five years as an assistant manager, Stuivenberg could be presented with the chance to leave Arsenal and take a job of his own, at a massive club like Ajax. Surely, it will tempt the Dutchman.

Is Ajax the right move for Stuivenberg? He should stay put…

Interestingly, it is unclear what Stuivenberg’s stance on a move to Ajax would be – given he came through Feyenoord’s academy before embarking on his own playing career. He has managed many times before.

Netherlands U17 side, then the U21’s and then in Belgium with Genk. It didn’t go particulaly to plan, with Stuvenberg watching his Genk side win just 23 of 48 matches in charge. But that’s not put Ajax off him.

Indeed, they will be hoping that if they do make a move for Stuivenberg, he will have gained experience since then – working under one of the world’s best in Mikel Arteta – who learned from Pep Guardiola.

If Stuivenberg is going to go into a job at some point, it needs to be the right move. Ajax are a huge club – but one that comes with enormous pressure and expectation. His spell could be over as soon as it starts.

The temptation will certainly be there but Stuivenberg is better off waiting for a club to come along that suits where he is at in terms of his managerial career and then in the future – possible manage an Ajax.