Ajax: 125th anniversary ends in collapse
Amsterdamsche Football Club Ajax aka AFC Ajax
Ajax is the most successful club in the Netherlands with 4 Champions League, 36 Erdevisie titles, 20 KNVB cups. They were also blessed with visionary leaders like Johan Cryuff and Rinus Michels who introduced Total Football to the world. Ajax didn't have success in Europe after 1995, but they were still a force in Erdevisie. But their 125th anniversary will be rememebered for their collapse by throwing away nine-point lead with five matches left.
As it happened
After disappointing seasons for last couple of years since departure of Erik ten Hag in 2022, Ajax appointed Francesco Farioli as their new coach in 2024. Departing from their traditional choice of Dutch coaches, Ajax appointed a foreign coach for first time after Morten Olsen in 1997. Farioli's Ajax taken a lead of nine points when 29th round finished with just 5 matches left. They collapsed in epic fashion and probably on the top of chart in the final round meltdowns.
| Round | Ajax's result | PSV's result | Ajax's points | PSV's points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 1:2 | 5:0 | 73 | 64 |
| 30 | 1:1 | 1:3 | 74 | 67 |
| 31 | 4:0 | 4:1 | 74 | 70 |
| 32 | 0:3 | 2:3 | 74 | 73 |
| 33 | 2:2 | 4:1 | 75 | 76 |
| 34 | 2:0 | 1:3 | 78 | 79 |
Other chokers in European football
Ajax's collapse in 2024-25 season is one of the greatest chokers in European football. Following table captures some of the famous meltdowns in European football.
| Choker | Winner | Lead in points | Matches left | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester United | Arsenal | 7 | 4 | 1997-98 |
| Newcastle United | Manchester United | 12 | 15 | 1995-96 |
| Real Madrid | Valencia | 8 | 12 | 2003-04 |
| Juventus | Lazio | 9 | 8 | 1999-00 |
| Bayer Leverkusen | Borrusia Dortmund | 5 | 3 | 2001-02 |
Ajax's legacy remains golden—but their 2024-25 collapse will forever stain its anniversary script.
