Siem de Jong emerges as a possible Ajax leadership candidate
Siem de Jong’s name is increasingly being mentioned at Ajax as the club considers who could succeed managing director Menno Geelen, according to De Telegraaf journalist Mike Verweij. Speaking on the newspaper’s Kick-off podcast, Verweij suggested that the former Ajax captain is among the people being discussed internally—though the club may first pursue a more established candidate.
The conversation follows Geelen’s unexpected announcement that he intends to leave his role in Amsterdam. He is due to step down in April 2027, two months before his current contract expires. Ajax now faces the task of identifying a successor who can guide the club through its next phase, balancing sporting ambitions with the financial and organizational demands of running one of the Netherlands’ most prominent football institutions.
Ajax begins search for its next managing director
Ajax’s supervisory board plans to hire an external recruitment agency to help identify candidates. The club’s leadership reportedly wants a new managing director in place at the Johan Cruyff ArenA before 1 April next year, giving the incoming executive time to settle into the position before Geelen’s departure.
The appointment will be important well beyond the title itself. Ajax’s managing director has a central role in the club’s business operations, long-term planning and relationships with key stakeholders. The successful candidate will also need to work closely with the football department, where decisions about recruitment, player development and the first team shape the club’s public profile and competitive results.
Verweij said De Jong’s name is heard regularly around the club, but cautioned against assuming that Ajax will immediately choose an internal candidate. “But I think they’ll aim for a bigger hitter first,” he said, indicating that the search could begin with experienced executives from outside the organization. Whether Ajax ultimately favors a high-profile appointment or someone familiar with its culture may depend on the qualities the supervisory board prioritizes.
Why Siem de Jong is part of the conversation
De Jong has built a close connection with Ajax both on and off the pitch. After completing a traineeship at the club in 2023, he joined the staff of technical director Jordi Cruyff. His current work includes serving as a sounding board for players and coaches, giving him a perspective that connects the daily experience of the football department with the wider needs of the organization.
That background could make De Jong an appealing figure in discussions about the club’s future. He understands Ajax’s traditions, has experienced the pressures of representing the first team and is now gaining insight into the club’s technical operations. Those credentials, however, do not automatically make him the leading candidate for a managing director position. The role requires a broad executive skill set, and Ajax may decide it needs someone with a longer record in senior business leadership.
For now, De Jong’s name is best understood as part of the debate rather than evidence that a decision has been made. Ajax’s formal search is expected to consider a range of profiles, and the club may look for candidates who can combine commercial experience with a strong understanding of elite football.
A celebrated playing career at Ajax
De Jong’s standing among Ajax supporters is rooted in a successful playing career. He made 276 appearances for the club, scoring 88 goals and providing 52 assists. A versatile attacking midfielder who could also operate in more advanced positions, he was a prominent part of Ajax teams that won the Dutch league title four times.
Those achievements give him an unusually strong connection with the club’s supporters and history. Former players who move into leadership roles can help preserve institutional knowledge and communicate the realities of professional football to decision-makers. At the same time, Ajax will need to assess whether a candidate’s experience and expertise match the full scope of the managing director’s responsibilities.
Working relationship with Jordi Cruyff could be crucial
Another key consideration is how Geelen’s successor would work with Jordi Cruyff, Ajax’s technical director. Valentijn Driessen said he hopes the next managing director will have a good relationship with Cruyff. The two positions have different responsibilities, but close cooperation is essential when a club’s sporting strategy and business plans need to move in the same direction.
Driessen also noted that Cruyff’s contract runs for two years, while expressing the hope that the incoming managing director will remain at Ajax for longer. Stability at the top could help the club avoid frequent changes in direction and give executives time to carry out a coherent plan. A strong working relationship between the managing director and technical director would be particularly valuable as Ajax makes decisions about squad development, budgets and its long-term football identity.
What the appointment could mean for Ajax
The search presents Ajax with an opportunity to define what it wants from its next era of leadership. The club could prioritize an experienced executive capable of steering complex operations, choose someone with a deep understanding of Ajax’s internal culture, or seek a candidate who combines both strengths. De Jong’s name highlights the appeal of institutional knowledge, while Verweij’s comments suggest the club may also explore more senior external options.
Any prediction about the eventual appointment remains uncertain until Ajax’s supervisory board completes its search. For now, the clearest indication is that the process is underway and that the club is considering how its next managing director can work effectively with the football leadership. As Geelen prepares to leave in 2027, Ajax’s decision will be closely watched by supporters interested in the club’s direction on and off the pitch.
