AMSTERDAM – Óscar García began his tenure as Ajax’s interim manager with a resounding 4-0 victory over Sparta Rotterdam on Saturday, but the Spaniard’s enthusiastic celebrations have already drawn scrutiny from Dutch football observers. The win, secured at the Johan Cruijff ArenA, marked a positive start for García, who replaced Fred Grim last week, but his demonstrative displays of joy directed towards the supporters have sparked debate.
García, a former FC Barcelona forward, was appointed after Jordi Cruijff moved the former Jong Ajax manager up to the first team following Grim’s dismissal. The 52-year-old oversaw a dominant performance against Sparta, with goals from Steven Berghuis, Davy Klaassen, Mika Godts, and an own goal from Joshua Kitolano sealing the win. Still, the manner in which García celebrated those goals has raised eyebrows.
According to reports from VoetbalTijd, former Dutch managers René Wagelaar and Gert-Jan Verbeek questioned García’s celebrations, suggesting they were “strange” and “attention-seeking.” Verbeek noted that García celebrated with the fans rather than his coaching staff, stating, “He looks up and acts like, ‘Spot me!’” Wagelaar echoed this sentiment, describing the celebrations as “particularly unsettling, very unsettling.”
The criticism comes despite a convincing performance from Ajax, who were without the suspended Wout Weghorst and the unwell Kasper Dolberg. Youngster Don-Angelo Konadu started as Ajax’s striker, alongside Steven Berghuis, while Takehiro Tomiyasu made his first competitive start since May 19, 2024. The team overcame an early chance for Sparta, when Tobias Lauritsen’s header narrowly missed the goal, to capture control of the match.
Berghuis proved to be a key figure, creating the opening goal in the 19th minute with a free kick that was deflected into the Sparta net by Joshua Kitolano. However, the victory was tempered by an injury to midfielder Youri Regeer, who was forced off the pitch in the first half with a suspected hamstring injury, replaced by Jorthy Mokio.
The atmosphere at the Johan Cruijff ArenA was noticeably different, with the lower South side of the stadium empty due to a reprimand from the KNVB (Royal Dutch Football Association). Despite the reduced crowd, Ajax delivered a performance that pleased the supporters in attendance, and seemingly, García himself, even if his celebratory style has become a talking point.
This win provides a much-needed boost for Ajax, who have been inconsistent this season. The team will need to build on this momentum as they prepare for a challenging fixture against Feyenoord next Sunday in “De Klassieker,” one of the most fiercely contested matches in Dutch football. The upcoming match will be a significant test for García and his team, offering an opportunity to solidify his position as interim manager and potentially turn around Ajax’s fortunes.
The focus now shifts to player recovery and tactical preparation for the clash against Feyenoord. The injury to Regeer is a concern, and García will need to assess the fitness of other key players, including Dolberg, before naming his squad. The match against Feyenoord will be played at De Kuip in Rotterdam, a notoriously difficult venue for visiting teams.
García’s approach to management, including his visible passion on the touchline, will undoubtedly be under further scrutiny in the coming weeks. While some may view his celebrations as endearing, others, like Wagelaar and Verbeek, see them as unconventional and potentially disruptive. Only time will tell whether García’s methods will resonate with the players and the Ajax faithful.
Ajax’s convincing win against Sparta Rotterdam marks a promising start to the García era. The team’s performance showcased their attacking potential and defensive solidity, providing a foundation for future success. However, the controversy surrounding García’s celebrations serves as a reminder that even in victory, scrutiny is never far away.
Next up for Ajax is the highly anticipated match against Feyenoord on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at 2:30 PM CET (1:30 PM UTC) at De Kuip in Rotterdam. The match is expected to be a sell-out, with a passionate atmosphere anticipated from both sets of supporters.
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