THE LOWDOWN EPISODE #70 - THE REBIRTH OF AJAX w/ KARAN TEJWANI

Karan Tejwani is the author of the new book; “Glorious Reinvention; The Rebirth of Ajax Amsterdam.”

Karan tells the story of how Ajax rediscovered their mojo to compete again with Europe's best. In November 2010, after Ajax's 2-0 loss in the Champions League group stage to Real Madrid, Johan Cruyff wrote a newspaper column criticising his former club. He believed the side were poorly run, had lost their identity and been left behind by modern football. He wanted Ajax to rely on their academy as they once had, and he wanted former Ajax players in high positions calling the shots at the club. This was dubbed “the Glorious Reinvention” - a peaceful coup that would propel Ajax to once more compete with the best. A few years on, with many of the changes in place, the side reached a Europa League final and a Champions League semi-final with an exquisite style of football and methods that Cruyff would have appreciated. Ajax, now run by former club greats such as Edwin van der Sar combined the techniques of old with modern elements.

What we discussed included ;

- Why Ajax fell behind in the 90's?

- The magical figure of Johan Cruyff.

- Inside the processes and procedures of a world class academy.

- Where does the 2019 Ajax team rank among the pantheon of great European sides?

- What can Manchester United fans expect from Eric Ten Hag?

- How Ajax will rebuild this summer amid losing key players and staff?

Karan's Twitter;https://twitter.com/karan_tejwani26

Book; https://www.amazon.co.uk/Glorious-Reinvention-Rebirth-Ajax-Amsterdam/dp/180150069X