Ajax Crisis Deepens: Will Grim Be Sacked After Cruijff Intervention?

The situation at Ajax is rapidly evolving, with increasing scrutiny on interim manager Fred Grim following reports of a disconnect between his tactical approach and the players. Newly appointed Technical Director Jordi Cruijff is now facing immediate pressure to evaluate the direction of the team, just weeks after taking the reins. The club, steeped in history and currently third in the Eredivisie, finds itself at a critical juncture.

Grim Faces Questions Over Tactical Approach

Ajax endured a challenging start to the season under former manager John Heitinga, with performances often described as naive, particularly in the Champions League. Heitinga’s dismissal was ultimately triggered by a disappointing European result against Galatasaray. Prior to his departure, Alex Kroes, then Technical Director, appointed Fred Grim as an assistant coach, who subsequently stepped into the interim manager role.

However, the arrival of Jordi Cruijff as Technical Director in December 2025 has prompted a swift reassessment of the club’s strategy. According to journalist Jop van Kempen of Het Parool, Cruijff must take decisive action. “We need to be hard and honest: it is frankly bad that Ajax continues to cling to a completely unworkable plan. The idea before the match against PEC Zwolle did not correspond at all with what ultimately happened on the field,” van Kempen stated in a recent podcast appearance.

A Disconnect Within the Squad

Van Kempen suggests a deeper issue within the Ajax squad. “From the players’ group, no one has the idea to approach things differently. The problem is seen from the bench, but Grim does not adjust the game plan,” he explained, indicating a potential form of work refusal. “He is not capable of doing so.”

This perceived inability to adapt is a significant concern. “I find that highly reprehensible. So that there is a lot of noise on the line between the coach and his players,” van Kempen added. The responsibility now falls to Cruijff to determine whether continuing with Grim is viable, weighing the potential benefits against the clear drawbacks.

Van Kempen has already made his assessment. “For me, it’s a big minus that a coach who makes a wrong plan is not able to correct it during the match.” The journalist believes immediate intervention is necessary.

Cruijff’s Measured Approach

While speculation swirls regarding a potential influx of Spanish personnel, as suggested by Valentijn Driessen of De Telegraaf, and discussed by Johan Derksen and René van der Gijp, Freek Jansen, editor-in-chief of Voetbal International, believes Cruijff is proceeding cautiously. “Cruijff is not showing his hand. That’s what I hear from people within Ajax,” Jansen noted. Cruijff has already made changes within the Ajax youth setup, appointing a familiar face, Óscar García, to Jong Ajax.

Van Kempen fears the consequences of another misstep. “The already slack balloon of Ajax will deflate even further if the Amsterdam club makes another wrong choice. With money from oil sheiks or wealthy investors, the rest of Europe has been raging in recent years, while Ajax has been falling behind,” he said. However, he is firm in his belief that Grim’s position is untenable.

Ajax currently occupies third place in the Eredivisie, four points behind a struggling Feyenoord. NEC and AZ are close behind, intensifying the pressure to secure Champions League qualification. This weekend, Ajax faces a challenging away match against FC Groningen, a venue where they suffered a damaging defeat last season that ultimately contributed to PSV Eindhoven’s title win.