Photo: Juan García / Pexels
Ajax undergoes major squad overhaul under Jordi Cruyff’s leadership
The Dutch giants moved 28 players in a single summer window, turning a significant profit while chasing a return to European relevance
Ajax, the club that practically invented modern football philosophy, is trying to rebuild itself again. This time, the architect carrying the family name is Jordi Cruyff, who took over as technical director in February 2026 and promptly set about reshaping the squad.
The numbers tell the story: 17 players out, 11 players in, and a net transfer profit of roughly €55 million. Ajax generated approximately €92 million from player sales while spending around €36.4 million on new acquisitions.
The most expensive incoming deal was Marcos Leonardo, who arrived from Saudi club Al-Hilal for €19.9 million. That single transfer accounted for more than half of Ajax’s total outlay.
The strategy leaned heavily on free transfers and loan deals. Among the headline arrivals, goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen joined on loan from Barcelona. Julian Brandt arrived on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund. Sofyan Amrabat, the Moroccan midfielder who became a household name during the 2022 World Cup, also joined.
The coaching piece
Cruyff appointed Míchel Sánchez as head coach in early June 2026. Míchel is a Spanish coach known for his possession-based approach, fitting the philosophical tradition Ajax has cultivated since Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff defined Total Football.
The news moving money, markets, and the world—before your day starts.
Daily. Free. Join 34,000+ readers across crypto, finance, and policy.
Cruyff’s strategic focus has been on reinforcing the goalkeeper, left-back, central defense, midfield, and attacking flanks, while prioritizing the integration of youth players from Ajax’s academy.
Why 17 departures matter
The €92 million generated from player sales gave Cruyff financial breathing room. Cruyff officially started as technical director on February 1, 2026, meaning he identified targets, negotiated deals, appointed a head coach, and executed 28 total transactions in roughly five months.
The gap that still exists
Reports from early September 2026 indicate that Ajax still faces a meaningful gap with Eredivisie rivals PSV Eindhoven, suggesting that one transfer window cannot instantly close the distance to a well-established competitor. Cruyff has expressed optimism about the club’s ability to attract players and has outlined an ambitious blueprint for Ajax’s future in both domestic and European competitions.