Ajax’s Internal Strife Intensifies with the Return of Dusan Tadic and Daley Blind

The possible returns of club legends Dusan Tadic and Daley Blind to Ajax are stirring unrest and division among the club’s upper echelons, according to reports from Dutch media.

Daley Blind departed Ajax in January 2023 after a clash with manager Alfred Schreuder, who had taken things personally following an incident during half-time of an Eredivisie match against RKC Waalwijk in October 2022. Blind made a free transfer to Bayern Munich after amassing 333 appearances for Ajax over two stints.

Conversely, Dusan Tadic left the club six months later due to disagreements with the new technical director, Sven Mislintat. Tadic was in the midst of a long-term contract that included provisions for him to transition into a coaching role at Ajax after his playing days. His departure was bittersweet, having represented the club in 241 matches over five years, scoring 105 goals and providing 112 assists.

The 35-year-old Blind currently plays for Spanish club Girona, with a contract lasting until 2026. Tadic, who will celebrate his 37th birthday this November, is set to leave Turkish giants Fenerbahçe after his contract concludes this summer.

Tensions

Tadic, in particular, has been mentioned as a potential returnee to Ajax multiple times since his unexpected exit. Ajax director Marijn Beuker confirmed earlier this year that the club was keen on reuniting with the Serbian star, but according to Dutch media, tensions are mounting at the top levels of Ajax regarding the prospect of bringing back these two veterans.

ESPN has indicated that senior advisor Louis van Gaal and board member Danny Blind support the idea of re-signing Blind and Tadic, while Beuker and head of scouting Kelvin de Lang are against the notion of welcoming back the club icons.

If Ajax intends to pursue Tadic’s return, they will need to act swiftly. Greek sources have reported that Tadic has come to an agreement on a two-year contract with Greek powerhouses Olympiacos, where he would earn €4 million per year.