Division Within Ajax as Dusan Tadic and Daley Blind Make Their Comeback

The potential return of club legends Dusan Tadic and Daley Blind to Ajax is stirring unrest and division among the club’s upper management, according to reports from Dutch media.

Daley Blind departed Ajax in January 2023 following a dispute with manager Alfred Schreuder, which turned personal after an incident during half-time in an Eredivisie match against RKC Waalwijk in October 2022. Blind’s exit saw him join Bayern Munich on a free transfer after making 333 appearances for Ajax over two spells.

On the other hand, Dusan Tadic left the club six months later, largely due to disagreements with the new technical director, Sven Mislintat. Tadic was midway through a long-term contract that included plans for him to take a coaching role at Ajax post-retirement. The Serbian’s departure was a difficult one, having played 241 matches for the club over five years, during which he netted 105 goals and provided 112 assists.

The 35-year-old Blind is currently with Spanish club Girona, where his contract runs until 2026. Tadic, who turns 37 in November, will conclude his time with Turkish giants Fenerbahce when his contract expires this summer.

Tensions

Tadic, in particular, has been frequently linked with a return to Ajax since his abrupt exit. Ajax director Marijn Beuker confirmed earlier this year that the club is interested in re-signing the veteran Serbian. However, reports suggest that tensions are simmering within the higher echelons of Ajax regarding the prospect of reintroducing both players.

ESPN has reported that senior advisor Louis van Gaal and board member Danny Blind are supportive of Blind’s and Tadic’s returns, while Beuker and head of scouting Kelvin de Lang are against the idea of welcoming back the club icons.

If Ajax is serious about bringing Tadic back into the fold, they must act swiftly. Greek reports indicate that Tadic has reached an agreement to sign a two-year deal with Olympiacos, where he would earn €4 million per year.