“As television money has transformed the landscape of European football in the 21st century, the challenge has fallen on big clubs in smaller markets to innovate, or face being left behind. Ajax, the most successful club in the Netherlands, have proven that invention does not require abandoning tradition. In fact, their history has provided the blueprint for continued success. In the early 1970s, legendary coach Rinus Michels built Ajax into the best club team in Europe. In 1973, they became just the second team to win three successive European Cups, with Michels’ totaalvoetbal philosophy executed by players reared at the club’s academy. …”
NY Times/The Athletic

“… With conversations like these, it is clear why the battle to reform Ajax’s academy was truly a battle for the soul of the Dutch giant. After the legendary Johan Cruyff and his followers regained control of the De Toekomst (The Future) in 2011, they began working with a generation of young players who are now in their prime. Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber, Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch, Manchester United pair Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, Newcastle United’s Sven Botman, and Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong all passed through their doors. It may have been almost a decade since Cruyff passed away from lung cancer, but his legacy is still very much alive. …”
NY Times/The Athletic

Bodo/Glimt, who reached the Europa League semi-finals last season, have implemented Cruyff’s principles

“Arsenal fans — or indeed, supporters of [insert team you support here] — may feel aggrieved at recent refereeing decisions, but at least you haven’t had to play against 12 men. That’s unless you’re a supporter of Dutch side Heerenveen, who were on the wrong end of one of football’s most basic rules being flagrantly breached during their top-flight match against Fortuna Sittard at the weekend. Visitors Fortuna made a late double substitution with Heerenveen — now managed by legendary former Dutch striker Robin van Persie — 2-1 up. But only one of the players getting replaced actually left the field. The match resumed, the 12 men of Fortuna won a throw-in and from that, albeit after the error was spotted and rectified, a corner which brought their equaliser, and the match ended as a draw. …”
NY Times/The Athletic

“‘He was always the best. He was always a big mouth. He was a little Johan Cruyff with the mouth (giving instructions to team-mates during matches). He was always thinking he knew things better than us.’  Leon ten Voorde is speaking about his childhood friend Erik ten Hag, now the Manchester United manager, whose team on Wednesday face FC Twente, where he spent 23 years as a player and then coach. Ten Hag’s love of football started with playground games with Ten Voorde in their hometown of Haaksbergen. Situated 10 miles away from the city of Enschede where FC Twente are based, its people are proud Tukkers. A Tukker is not only a regional distinction for those in the east of the Netherlands, but also a description of a particular way of life. …”
NY Times/The Athletic

Fans of the Eredivisie club hoped takeovers would transform their fortunes, but instead they face an existential threat to their future
“Vitesse Arnhem are a cautionary tale. At first glance, it is possible to fall into the trap of thinking that they hit the jackpot 14 years ago. Vitesse, a Dutch club with little history of success, had their identity transformed after a takeover led by the Georgian former footballer Merab Jordania. Allegations of links between Jordania and Roman Abramovich, the Russian oligarch and former owner of Chelsea Football Club, were always denied. Vitesse, whose highest finish in the Eredivisie was third in 1998, trundled along. …”
Guardian
Guardian: Abramovich loans fund owner of Dutch football club, leaked documents suggest

“As the players finish their warm-ups prior to kickoff at the Arena, “Freed From Desire” blares out and the stadium shakes with Taadeech on fiiiire! It’s the same routine before every match, so even though I’m busy buying a pint, I know that Dušan Tadić, captain of Ajax, is the only remaining player on the pitch. I know that he gets the ball just outside the box and takes a few touches before cutting inside on his weaker right foot. He shoots, looks up towards the fans, and applause ensues. …”
Football Paradise

“Feyenoord currently lead the Eredivisie over pre-season favourites Ajax and PSV Eindhoven. Their strong 2022-23 campaign so far confirms that their European exploits last season were no flash in the pan. Despite only having four players that started last season’s UEFA Europa Conference League final defeat to Roma still at the club, Feyenoord’s aspirations of topping the Dutch league this season felt questionable. Even more so when you consider that the pair held 10-point (PSV) and 12-point (Ajax) advantages over the Rotterdam club in the 2021-22 table. …”
The Analyst