Amsterdamsche Football Club Ajax, also known as AFC Ajax, Ajax Amsterdam, or simply Ajax, is a Dutch professional football club based in Amsterdam, that plays in the Eredivisie, the top tier in Dutch football. Historically, Ajax is the most successful club in the Netherlands, with 36 Eredivisie titles and 20 KNVB Cups. It has continuously played in the Eredivisie since the league's inception in 1956, and along with Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven, it is one of the country's "big three" clubs that have dominated that competition.
Aloysius Paulus Maria "Louis" van Gaal is a Dutch former football player and manager who currently serves as an advisor for Ajax. At club level, he served as manager of Ajax, Barcelona, AZ Alkmaar, Bayern Munich and Manchester United, as well as having three spells in charge of the Netherlands national team. Van Gaal is one of the greatest and most decorated managers in the history of the game, having won 20 major honours in his managerial career. He is sometimes nicknamed the "Iron Tulip".
Dick Nicolaas Advocaat is a Dutch former football player and coach. He is the current manager of the Curaçao national football team.
Rudolphus Antonius "Roy" Makaay is a Dutch professional football coach and former footballer. As a striker, he was known for his goal-scoring ability as a result of his "aerial prowess and quick drives to the net where he can put the ball away with either foot."
Arjen Robben is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a winger. Robben was known for his dribbling skills, speed, ball control and long-range shots. He is regarded as one of the best wingers of his generation.
The Eredivisie is the highest level of professional football in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956, two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. As of the 2023–24 season, it is ranked the 6th-best league in Europe by UEFA.
Mark Peter Gertruda Andreas van Bommel is a Dutch football coach and former player who played as a midfielder. He is currently the manager of Belgian side Royal Antwerp. His FIFA World Cup profile describes him as "a tackling machine and expert ball-winner, but he also boasts a fine array of passes and a powerful shot, having been a free-kick specialist during his PSV days".
Søren Lerby is a Danish former football player, manager, and licensed agent. As a player, he spent most of his career in Dutch football, winning five Eredivisie championships with Ajax Amsterdam and two with PSV Eindhoven. With the latter club, he also won the 1988 European Cup. He won two Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich, and played one season for AS Monaco in France. He played 67 matches for the Denmark national football team from 1978 to 1989, and represented Denmark at the 1986 FIFA World Cup and two European Championship tournaments. Currently, he is the agent of Galatasaray winger Dries Mertens.
Johannes Franciscus "Hans" van Breukelen is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He was the technical director of the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) from 2017 until 2018.
Dirk Jan Klaas Huntelaar, known professionally as Klaas-JanHuntelaar, is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a striker.
Gerald Mervin Vanenburg is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a right winger.
Nick Viergever is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a defender for Utrecht. He also made three appearances for the Netherlands national team.
Jetro Danovich Sexer Willems is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a left wing-back or left-back for Eredivisie club Heracles Almelo.
During the 1994–95 Dutch football season, AFC Ajax competed in the Eredivisie. Ajax won a league-cup double. They won their 25th Dutch title in style, not losing a single match all season and scoring 106 goals. Ajax also won their fourth European Cup, defeating A.C. Milan 1–0 in the final. This Ajax squad is considered to be one of the best teams in football history.
During the 2004–05 season AFC Ajax participated in the Eredivisie, the KNVB Cup, the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Cup.
During the 2001–02 season, Feyenoord participated in the Eredivisie, the top tier of Dutch football, as well as the KNVB Cup, UEFA Champions League, and the UEFA Cup. They were proclaimed champions of the 2002 UEFA Cup Final after beating Borussia Dortmund (Germany).
Erik ten Hag is a Dutch professional football manager and former player who is the manager of Premier League club Manchester United.
Matthijs de Ligt is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Bundesliga club Bayern Munich and the Netherlands national team. Considered as one of the best defenders in the world, De Ligt is known for his strength, leadership, aggressiveness, tackling and aerial ability.
Ryan Jiro Gravenberch is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Premier League club Liverpool and the Netherlands national team.
Malik Leon Tillman is a professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder for Eredivisie club PSV, on loan from Bundesliga side Bayern Munich. Born in Germany, he represents the United States national team.
