Ajax Reshapes Youth Academy to Regain Top Spot in Dutch Football
Ajax, one of the most iconic clubs in Dutch football, has decided it’s time to take bold steps to reclaim its place as the very best youth academy in the Netherlands. For decades, Ajax was known as a talent factory, producing some of the finest players the country – and even the world – had ever seen. Think of the greats who came through their ranks, names that became global stars. But in recent years, things have changed. The results at youth level have been less convincing, and other clubs have managed to catch up. That reality has forced Ajax to rethink its strategy and come forward with a new, ambitious plan.
A striking change in this plan is the decision to scrap the Under-8 team. Yes, Ajax will no longer bring players into their academy that early. Instead, the club wants to let young kids stay longer with their local amateur teams, developing in their own environment without too much pressure. It’s a conscious move to reduce early stress and keep the fun in football alive for kids under eleven years old. According to internal documents, Ajax believes this will help them understand players better in the long run – not just by their skills on the pitch, but by who they are in their natural surroundings.
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To replace the early intake, Ajax is rolling out programs like the Ajax Regional Trainings (ART) and the Ajax Football School (AVS). These will allow young players to get a taste of Ajax’s philosophy without having to fully leave their local clubs too soon. It’s about building a bridge rather than creating a gap. And it’s also about connection: the bond between the players, their parents, and Ajax itself is seen as essential. The club wants families to feel part of the Ajax vision, creating loyalty that lasts even when other clubs start knocking on the door later.
The philosophy behind all of this is simple: a wide entry, not a narrow one. Instead of selecting just a small group of kids at a very young age, Ajax wants to see many players develop, giving them more time to grow and prove themselves. It’s an approach that could prevent promising talents from slipping through the cracks too early.
Ajax admits that big talents still break through now and then from their system, but the club isn’t satisfied with “now and then.” The ambition is to once again be the benchmark for youth development in the Netherlands, producing not just good players, but great ones who embody the Ajax style of play. By reshaping the foundation, the club hopes to rebuild its reputation as the place where future stars are born.
This new plan is bold, it’s fresh, and it signals one thing very clearly: Ajax wants its crown back. And if history has taught us anything, it’s that when Ajax sets its sights on something, the football world should take notice.
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