While Alfred Schreuder had the tactical mind, his stint as Ajax head coach was short, complex, and ultimately disappointing. It was a reminder that following greatness is often harder than achieving it.
Born on November 2, 1972, in Barneveld, Netherlands, Alfred Schreuder enjoyed a modest playing career. As a central midfielder, he represented clubs like Feyenoord, RKC Waalwijk, NAC Breda, and FC Twente.
Though never a superstar, Schreuder was known for his intelligence, composure, and leadership. These traits hinted at a future in coaching. He understood the game from a positional perspective and was always tactically curious.
After hanging up his boots, Schreuder began coaching in the lower tiers of Dutch football. His analytical approach and attention to detail caught the eye of several Eredivisie clubs.
He served as assistant coach at Vitesse and Twente before getting his first taste of head coaching at Hoffenheim in Germany. There, he gained valuable experience in high-pressure environments.
His reputation continued to grow, particularly after joining Erik ten Hag’s staff at Ajax during the club’s magical 2018–19 season.
In the summer of 2022, Erik ten Hag departed Ajax for Manchester United. The club, still riding high from domestic dominance and European thrills, appointed Schreuder as his successor.
He returned with the blessing of the board and the belief of many fans. After all, Schreuder had been part of the brains behind Ajax’s recent success. Now, he was tasked with leading.
Schreuder favored a 4-3-3 system, true to Ajax’s core. His football emphasized ball control, structured build-up, and automated passing sequences.
At times, his Ajax played elegant football. He trusted technically sound midfielders and encouraged wide players to invert and cut inside. Pressing was coordinated but lacked the aggression seen under Ten Hag.
Despite his meticulous planning, the team often lacked spark in the final third. Creativity suffered. Possession didn’t always translate into penetration.
Schreuder inherited a squad filled with new signings and academy products. Balancing the two proved difficult. Some players thrived—Mohammed Kudus began to shine, and Kenneth Taylor saw more minutes.
But other decisions baffled fans. The team’s chemistry seemed off. Veterans looked uncertain. Young players were rotated inconsistently.
Communication reportedly broke down inside the locker room. The coach’s analytical style didn’t connect with every personality.
Ajax started the 2022–23 Eredivisie season well but quickly ran into trouble. Draws turned into losses. Performances became flat. By winter, the club had slipped from the top of the table.
Fans grew restless. Chants at the Johan Cruyff Arena turned critical. The media questioned tactics, substitutions, and squad management. Even the board began to lose faith.
A winless streak stretched deep into the second half of the season. In January 2023, after just seven months in charge, Schreuder was dismissed.
Schreuder’s tenure was less about incompetence and more about misalignment. He was a tactician—an architect, not a motivator. And Ajax, in flux after Ten Hag’s departure, needed something else.
His failure didn’t erase his coaching ability. He returned to other roles in Europe and remains respected in tactical circles.
Still, his Ajax spell is a cautionary tale about context and timing.
Schreuder’s contributions to Ajax’s modern success should not be forgotten. As an assistant, he played a key role in one of the club’s most thrilling eras.
But his head coaching tenure exposed the gap between theory and practice. He knew the Ajax philosophy, but struggled to implement it under pressure.
His time in charge is now viewed as a transitional phase—one that tested the club’s resilience.
Alfred Schreuder has the mind of a top-level coach. He understands the modern game, studies every detail, and values structure. But football is more than diagrams. It’s about momentum, belief, and connection.
At Ajax, Schreuder showed he could design a plan. But executing it, week after week, under a spotlight—that’s another game entirely.
Curious about other Ajax managers, tactical eras, and golden generations? Explore our complete Club Guide to AFC Ajax:
👉 The Ultimate AFC Ajax Club Guide
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