Francesco Farioli has officially been named the new head coach of Eredivisie giants Ajax, marking a historic appointment as the first Italian to lead the prestigious Dutch club. Farioli has agreed to a three-year contract that will keep him at Ajax until the summer of 2027.
Departure from Nice and Previous Coaching Roles
The 35-year-old coach leaves his role at Ligue 1 team OGC Nice, where he took charge in June 2023 and guided the team to a commendable fifth-place finish, an improvement from their ninth-place standing the prior season. Ajax will be Farioli’s fourth managerial position, following his tenures in Turkey with Fatih Karagümrük in 2021 and Alanyaspor between 2021 and 2023. At Fatih Karagümrük, he made history as the youngest head coach in the Turkish Super Lig.
Farioli’s professional journey began as a goalkeeper coach in Qatar, before transitioning to similar roles in Serie A with clubs like Benevento and Sassuolo, where he worked under Roberto De Zerbi, the former Brighton manager.
Ambitions and Vision for Ajax
Expressing his enthusiasm in an official statement on Ajax’s website, Farioli said, “I am very happy to be here in Amsterdam. Along with my other staff members, we are going to work diligently. We want to get back to basics and connect with what Ajax stands for as a club. We also want to bring new energy along with a positive way of working and thinking.”
Aware of the challenges ahead, Farioli emphasized the importance of preparation. “I am aware of the fact that there is a lot of work to do, but we have already started to prepare. We don’t want to waste any time and so we are now getting ready for the start of the season, and to bring Ajax back to where it belongs.”
Farioli’s appointment is seen as a significant step for Ajax, aiming to reinvigorate the club’s philosophy and success under his innovative approach and energetic leadership.
