Valentijn Driessen Urges Ajax to Consider Arne Slot as Míchel Sánchez Faces Pressure
Ajax should seriously assess whether Arne Slot could revive the club’s struggling season, according to De Telegraaf journalist Valentijn Driessen. After another disappointing performance under head coach Míchel Sánchez, Driessen argued that Ajax need a coach who can reconnect with the players, improve the team’s tactical structure and restore confidence on the pitch.
The debate intensified following Ajax’s 2-1 defeat to Hajduk Split in the Conference League, a result that added to concerns about the team’s direction. Speaking on the Kick-off podcast, Driessen described the situation as a dead end and said Slot should be considered for the job. His suggestion is a prediction and an opinion, not confirmation of an approach or an imminent managerial change.
Why Driessen Thinks Slot Could Suit Ajax
Slot is currently without a club after leaving Liverpool in May. Driessen believes the Dutch coach’s strengths could address several of the problems he sees at Ajax, particularly the team’s lack of cohesion and the apparent difficulty of communicating tactical ideas clearly.
“I would look at Arne Slot. Why not?” Driessen said on the podcast, arguing that Ajax need someone capable of getting the players to perform as a connected unit. He praised Slot’s communication, tactical knowledge and training methods—qualities that have helped establish the coach’s reputation in club football.
That profile could make Slot an appealing name in any discussion about Ajax’s next steps. A coach who works with players daily can shape pressing patterns, build-up play and defensive organisation over time. Those details matter especially at a club expected to dominate possession and compete for major domestic honours. However, appointing a high-profile coach would not automatically solve Ajax’s problems: the squad, recruitment strategy and wider football structure would also need to support a consistent plan.
Communication Concerns Add to Questions About Míchel
Driessen’s criticism focused not only on results but also on how effectively Míchel’s message is reaching the dressing room. Fellow journalist Jeroen Kapteijns raised concerns about the coach’s English on the podcast and suggested that relying on an interpreter could make detailed communication more difficult.
Football instructions often depend on precision. Coaches must explain when to press, how to cover space, where to position themselves during possession and how to respond when an opponent changes shape. Translation can work, but it may add time and distance between a coach’s idea and a player’s understanding—particularly during fast-moving training sessions or emotionally charged matches.
Kapteijns argued that discussing the finer points of the game becomes harder when a coach cannot communicate comfortably in a shared language. The criticism is not proof that language alone explains Ajax’s performances, but it highlights a practical issue: players need to understand not just what they are being asked to do, but why and when.
Risk of Losing the Dressing Room
Driessen warned that communication problems could affect a coach’s authority if players begin to disengage. In his view, once players stop taking instructions seriously, correcting the problem becomes much harder. A team may still follow a game plan on paper, but poor trust and unclear expectations can show up in hesitant pressing, missed assignments and a lack of coordination.
That concern was reinforced by Driessen’s description of Ajax’s performance against Hajduk Split. He said the side looked disjointed, with players acting as individuals rather than as a functioning team. For a club whose identity has long been associated with technical football and collective movement, such a display is especially troubling. Ajax supporters will expect more than isolated moments of quality; they want a recognisable style and evidence that the players understand their roles.
Ajax’s Coaching Decision Is Part of a Wider Challenge
Changing the head coach is one of the most consequential decisions a club can make, but it is rarely a complete solution by itself. Ajax must weigh whether the current staff can deliver visible progress, whether the squad is suited to the intended style and whether the club’s leadership can provide stability behind the scenes. Driessen also questioned the approach of Jordi Cruyff, arguing that improvement should already be apparent by this stage of the campaign.
His remarks point to a broader concern about accountability. If results and performances do not improve, Ajax’s decision-makers may face pressure to reconsider not only the head coach but also the support structure around him. Driessen said the club should be prepared to part ways with members of Míchel’s Spanish staff if doing so is judged to be in Ajax’s interests. Such a move, however, would need a clear sporting rationale rather than being a reaction to one defeat.
Would Arne Slot Be Interested in a Return to Club Football?
Slot’s availability has naturally fuelled speculation. He reportedly turned down the opportunity to become Netherlands head coach last summer, explaining in August that he preferred the daily work of training players at club level. That preference suggests a return to club football could appeal to him, but it does not establish that Ajax is a realistic destination.
There is no confirmation that Ajax have contacted Slot, that he is interested in the role or that Míchel is about to be dismissed. Any transfer of a coach—the move from one club job to another—would depend on timing, ambition, contract terms and the sporting project on offer. Slot would also have to decide whether the Ajax role provides the conditions needed to build a competitive team.
What Happens Next for Ajax?
For now, Slot’s name is part of a growing conversation about how Ajax can recover, rather than a confirmed appointment prediction. The club’s immediate priority is to show measurable improvement: stronger organisation, clearer communication and performances that demonstrate collective purpose. Upcoming fixtures will offer another opportunity to assess whether Míchel’s methods are taking hold.
If Ajax continue to look disconnected, calls for change are likely to intensify. Driessen’s case for Slot rests on the belief that the coach can bring clarity and cohesion, but the club must determine whether that belief matches its long-term needs. The central question is no longer simply who could replace Míchel; it is what kind of football Ajax want to play—and whether their next coach can make the entire squad believe in it.
