Everyone involved probably imagined it differently.
Daley Blind (32) has terminated his contract with Ajax Amsterdam, which actually runs until the summer. And then left room for speculation with his statement on Twitter.
One thing is clear: Ajax had not planned the end of the club legend like this. It’s an undignified farewell.
Blind hasn’t been an absolute regular at Ajax since mid-October. Again and again he was only substituted on or substituted early on or even sat on the bench in two games over the full playing time. Ajax coach is Alfred Schreuder (50), who also coached TSG Hoffenheim in the 2019/2020 season.
In contrast to Schreud, Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal (71) consistently used blinds in his team. The left-back started all five of the Netherlands’ World Cup games. In the round of 16 against the USA (3:1) he even scored and set up a goal.
Daley Blind at the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals against Argentina
Photo: Tom Weller/dpa
Ajax and Blind announced their early separation on Tuesday. The statement detailed the full-back’s past at Ajax. He had played at Ajax since 2005 and has remained loyal to the club apart from a loan spell at Groningen (2010) and four years at Manchester United (2014-2018).
Managing director Edwin van der Sar (52) said: “In the last few days we have reached an agreement with Daley to terminate his contract. I hope he can find another club to end his successful career. Together with Daley, we have decided on a game in the ArenA where he can say goodbye to the fans properly.”
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The fans were less enthusiastic about Blind’s departure. The comments below the announcement of the termination of the contract included: “It would have been better if Schreuder had gone”, “Ashamed that you let it come to this” or “A real shame. You should be ashamed.”
These are insightful comments. The fans are obviously very disappointed because coach Schreuder in particular is said not to have dealt well with blind people. In a statement via Twitter, the defender also left room for speculation.
Blind wrote: “This is not how I imagined my end at Ajax to be, but due to ‘circumstances’ it happened that way. I hope there will be another right moment to say goodbye to you. Make sure that Ajax stays Ajax.” He left open which mysterious “circumstances” he specifically meant.
Interesting: It was already announced on Monday that Danny Blind, Blind’s father, would not be returning to the Ajax board of directors. He temporarily gave up this post last year because he was van Gaal’s assistant coach with the Dutch national team. With the planned return, however, nothing came of it. This may also have something to do with Daley Blind’s sudden contract termination.
In any case, it’s an inglorious departure for a club legend – after all, Blind should get a farewell game. The early winter departure with only half a year of contract left many questions unanswered. The Dutch Telegraaf reports that Royal Antwerp and Real Sociedad are now interested in Blind.
