Ajax Suffers Heaviest Defeat in 97 Years with 6-0 Loss to Feyenoord
In a historic and shocking turn of events, Dutch football powerhouse Ajax faced their worst defeat in nearly a century, falling 6-0 to arch-rivals Feyenoord on Sunday at De Kuip Stadium in Rotterdam. This Eredivisie match will be remembered as one of the most humbling moments in Ajax’s illustrious history.
The match started with an early onslaught from Feyenoord. Igor Paixao opened the scoring, followed by goals from Yankuba Minteh and David Hancko, propelling Feyenoord to a commanding 3-0 lead by halftime. The second half saw no respite for Ajax, as Minteh and Paixao each added another goal to their tallies, with Quinten Timber sealing the emphatic victory.
This devastating loss marks Ajax’s eighth defeat of the 2023-24 season. Once considered untouchable in Dutch football, Ajax now finds themselves languishing in sixth place with 45 points, trailing seven points behind fourth-placed AZ Alkmaar and the coveted UEFA Europa League qualification spot. The club’s struggles this season have been unprecedented, including a ten-game winless streak and a stint at the bottom of the league table in November 2023.
Ajax’s woes extend beyond the Eredivisie. Their aspirations in other competitions were cut short after a KNVB Cup elimination by USV Heracles last December and an exit from the UEFA Europa Conference League at the hands of Aston Villa in March.
Instability at the managerial level has been a significant factor in Ajax’s decline. The club has seen four different managers this season—John Heitinga, Maurice Steijn, Hedwiges Maduro, and John van’t Schip—a situation that has led to inconsistency on the pitch.
Off the field, Ajax has been beset by administrative turmoil. Last week, CEO Alex Kroe was suspended amid allegations of insider trading prior to his appointment in August 2023. Shortly after, reports emerged that Chairman Michael van Praag failed to declare ownership of several shares in the club. These controversies have only deepened the crisis at Ajax.
The humiliating defeat to Feyenoord has intensified scrutiny on the club’s leadership and performance. Conceding six goals without a single shot on target reflects a team in disarray. For the passionate fans of Ajax, this result is a bitter pill to swallow, highlighting the urgent need for structural changes within the club.
As one of Europe’s historic clubs, Ajax’s current predicament serves as a cautionary tale of how quickly fortunes can change in football. The coming weeks will be crucial as the club seeks to rebuild and restore its legacy both domestically and on the European stage.
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Ajax suffer worst defeat in 97 years after 6-0 loss to Feyenoord
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