European giants make drastic managerial decision with Ten Hag's influence clear

Ajax have sacked manager Alfred Schreuder - just months after he replaced Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag at the helm of the Dutch giants.

Schreuder, who managed Club Brugge to the Belgian Pro League title last year, formerly served at Ajax as assistant to Ten Hag, and was also Ronald Koeman's assistant at Barcelona.

The Dutch coach was without many of last season's Eredivisie-winning squad this term, with Antony, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui and Ryan Gravenberch among the players to depart the club.

It has been a difficult campaign for Ajax, who currently sit a surprise fifth in the Dutch top division. They were also knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage.

Ajax are seven points behind league leaders Feyenoord, with AZ Alkmaar, FC Twente and PSV also ahead of them in what is a highly competitive division this term.

But a 1-1 draw at home to FC Volendam on Thursday ultimately proved to be the end of the road for Schreuder, who paid the price for being unable to immediately follow on from Manchester United boss Ten Hag's success.

Ajax release statement after Schreuder departure

In a club statement confirming the 50-year-old's exit, Ajax said: "The disappointing results and lack of development within the team are the main reason for this decision.

"The management of the club is no longer confident about their agreement. Assistant coach Matthias Kaltenbach's contract will also be terminated with immediate effect."

CEO of Ajax, the former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, added: "This is a painful decision, but it's necessary. Regardless of the good start to the season, we lost a lot of unnecessary points. The football itself was precarious too.

"Due to the World Cup, we had an early and long break during the winter. We gave Alfred our time and trust to change the way things were going.

"It became clear to us that he could not change the tide. Regardless of the many transfers that took place, we consider the squad fit for a championship. We lost a lot of points over the last few weeks and sadly saw a lack of progression."