Ajax Faces Risk of Losing Francesco Farioli Following Discovery of Buyout Clause

Ajax head coach Francesco Farioli may part ways with the 36-time Dutch champions as soon as this summer, according to reports from the Netherlands.

On Wednesday, Lentin Goodijk and Tim van Duijn from Voetbal International revealed that the 35-year-old has a limited buyout clause in his contract. The Italian tactician inked a three-year deal last summer after arriving at Ajax from Ligue 1 outfit OGC Nice, despite interest from several prominent European clubs.

Voetbal International suggested that the buyout clause is set at approximately €5 million, meaning any interested party would need to pay Ajax this amount, leaving the club powerless in negotiations.

Ajax secured a vital 2-0 victory over PSV in a key Eredivisie match last weekend, virtually sealing their 37th league title, with Ajax now nine points clear of PSV.

Challenging Times

The club’s path has been tumultuous since Erik ten Hag’s departure in the summer of 2022. Ajax finished third in the 2022/23 season, marking their lowest position since 2009, and fifth in the current season. The club has seen five managers come and go in the last three seasons and has faced financial challenges following a tumultuous four-month period under former Arsenal executive Sven Mislintat, who served as the director of football.

Francesco Farioli was appointed to lead the team ahead of this season, following a successful tenure at OGC Nice. The objective was clear: to restore Ajax’s status in the Champions League during what many termed a ‘transitional year’.

Now, with Ajax on the brink of claiming their first title since 2022 and having dominated their main rivals Feyenoord and PSV in all four matches this season, interest from foreign clubs in the Italian manager is escalating.

Prior to last weekend’s match against PSV, director of football Marijn Beuker addressed Farioli’s contract situation during an appearance on ESPN’s ‘Goedemorgen Eredivisie’. “Francesco still has an ongoing contract, and I believe that with both players and coaches, it’s crucial to maintain group cohesion, as the stability of the squad is a key predictor of success,” Beuker stated, emphasising that the chances of Farioli remaining with the club are “significant”.