Ajax Amsterdam slump to bottom of Dutch Eredivisie after PSV Eindhoven thumping
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Ajax's Josip Sutalo is dejected after his side's 5-2 defeat by PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Eredivisie on Sunday.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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Amsterdam – Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam on Monday appointed former player John van’t Schip after they slipped to the bottom of the Eredivisie table on Sunday after blowing a half-time lead in a 5-2 thrashing by PSV Eindhoven.
The record 36-time Dutch champions, who sacked coach Maurice Steijn last week before losing to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Europa League, suffered a fifth straight defeat in the Dutch top flight for the first time in their history.
Interim coach van’t Schip played for Ajax for more than 10 years and has previous coaching experience, notably with the Greek national team.
Ajax have gradually fallen from grace since the exit of former coach Erik ten Hag to Manchester United in 2022, before coming apart this season.
“That hurts a lot. Still, we can draw some strength from the first half in Eindhoven. The players showed that they can indeed play football,” said a statement on the Ajax supporters’ club website.
“Hopefully, that will give us some confidence in the coming weeks, when Ajax will have to climb out of the depths.”
Branco van den Boomen gave Ajax a perfect start in their first league game under interim boss Hedwiges Maduro, before Brian Brobbey restored their advantage after Hirving Lozano’s equaliser for PSV. But the visitors were torn to shreds in the second half, as goals from Luuk de Jong and Ismael Saibari put the home side in front less than seven minutes after the restart. Mexican international Lozano added two more to complete his hat-trick.
Ajax were also beaten 4-0 by bitter rivals Feyenoord earlier in the campaign, in a match which was abandoned in the second-half when hardcore Ajax fans lobbed flares onto the pitch with their team 3-0 behind. The match was completed days later behind closed doors.
Ajax are now two points behind second-from-bottom Utrecht after collecting just five points from their first eight games. PSV are five points clear of AZ Alkmaar at the top after starting the league season with 10 straight wins.
AZ’s match against Nijmegen was abandoned in injury time after Nijmegen striker Bas Dost collapsed on the pitch and was taken off on a stretcher. The former Netherlands striker regained consciousness and acknowledged the fans. Nijmegen were leading the game 2-1, with Dost having earlier found the net. AFP
