Episode 1: A Jersey Raised, A Legacy Reborn

AT JOHAN CRUYFF ARENA, THE NEXT DAY AFTER INTRODUCTORY PRESS CONFERENCE

“So how is it going mate?”

“Good to go boss. I'm quite happy to be introduced by the legendary manager itself whose have made Ajax the European champions once before”

“Nahh, it's all part of the duty I've been given by my predecessors before. But somehow yeah luckily seems that time it's going good  'til the final at that time”

“Somehow I may bet to replicate your success sir.”

“I bet you will. I know and believe your potential, that's why I'm choosing you as the manager here, able to replicate those of Cruyff, and even Ten Haag before this, bringing this team to the Champions League so deep that no one ever believe THAT has actually happen. What's more mesmerizing is that he (Ten Haag) do it with a bunch of trustful youngsters and veterans which capable to guide them along"

“Hopefully this team would be more capable than before”

“I hope so”

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________-

“Alright guys. Attention please!"

Those guys go surrounding Louis Van Gaal with the new manager

“Thank you for your attention. So far as what you've heard at the latest rumours for the new manager, this, is the new manager that I've brought into for you guys”

“Thank you sir”

“Just for your information here, this guy, is the one that I truly trusts, in terms of his tactical ideas, his enthusiasm, his energetic attitude and confidence, I do believe that, under his managerial tenure, as far as you guys follow what he wants on the pitch, believe me, you guys may able to raise this wonderful Ajax to the honorable level once we have achieved before”

Clapping sound surrounding the pitch.

“ I'm totally understand on how you guys might felt right now. Under previous directors, maybe those previous managers' appointment may disappoint you guys on not reaching that kind of level up until now. But….”

All of it in sudden silence

“Since I've came into Ajax, forfeiting the Netherlands manager's post just to be with you guys, to rebuild again our strong team here, with the right appointment as him, I'm totally believe in him that he can replicate what I've done for this team before, winning Champions League. Although you guys were in UEFA Conference League this season, this is the time you guys can rebuild your confidence level back again so that you guys can be more strong mentally to face our European nemesis in the upcoming future."

Big clap surrounding the nature there.

“Before further delay, I gave the stage here to your new manager."

“Thank you sir”

“Alright good morning guys. Thank you to Sir Louis Van Gaal here for introducing me to you guys. I know that this is only the beginning of our journey.”

“I do believe that there's some higher ceiling on among us that we could ever achieve for this team. So that's why I decide to came in here. To guide you guys to achieve that level of ceiling that you wish for”

“So I'm seeking your cooperation to follow on what I'm trying to guide you guys on the pitch this season”

Still silence.

“First of all, I'm informing you guys that we would prioritize our academy players, blend with the senior squad players available here so that both of you guys can complement with each other”

Some of them clapping, some of them grabbing any nearby academy players shoulders after hearing that.

“I do understand that since Ten Haag's resurgence for this team achieving the Champions League semi-final is no mean feat here. That's the main motivation that I know you guys also want to achieve”

“So, here, trust me, trust the process that you guys would facing this season, in order for you guys to have the necessary growth and game time to make this team to be great. Can we guys???”

“YESS!!!!” Players soaring loudly with their new manager's high energy level

“And just to set your expectations here, Rome would not be build in a day. So bear with me along our journey that this may take some time to stabilitize and strengthen our cohesion as overall here. Once we have that necessary cohesion, we can be the next strongest Sparta team that we could achieve. Can we guys??”

“YES!!!!”

“Follow my war cry guys. THIS.IS.SPARTAAA!!!!”

“THIS.IS.SPARTAAA!!!!”


 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________-

“Thanks mate for changing their energy already at the early stage”

“No problem sir, I'm trying to boost their dopamine level early here so that they can strive much more than what we could expect from this season”

“Alright if that's all, you may have some rest first. Tomorrow's your first training session with those senior squad players further. Good luck”

“Thanks sir Van Gaal”

 

AT JOHAN CRUYFF ARENA, IN THE NEW MANAGER'S OFFICE

While the new manager's trying to digest here on what does he have at his disposal, seems that he's on deep focus on trying to navigate the best way for the tactical formation to be the best implemented for this season.


 

“Hmm, seems interesting here. Hendo (Henderson), Kenny (Kenneth Taylor), Weghorst. I do feel there's some strong presence if I put them in my formation here.”

Suddenly there was a knock on the door

“Come in”

His assistant manager came through

“Yes what is it?” 


“Sir, maybe I need to remind you on the next schedule by which we do have the initial meeting with our squad players."


“Are they here already?”


“Yes, at the outside.”


“Invite them in”



 

New Manager : I wanted to take the opportunity to introduce myself to you guys as the new Ajax manager this season

Davy Klaasen : Welcome, I do hope as a team we can go on to achieve great things under your management

.

New Manager : Thank you for that. So let's focus on our Eridivisie aims for this season. Shall we?

All players : Sure

New manager : I'm enthusiastic to say about our chances this season, and I do think we can go on and win the title for you guys.

All the players clapping, with some of them shouting "Vamos!!"

New Manager : That's exactly my expectation on your energy I was after. Next, let's discuss about our Europa Conference League. Do you want to win this cup guys?

All players : Yes sir!

New manager : Good, that's exactly the sort of reaction I'm expecting at this moment. Alright so the competition discussions we've done here, let's discuss of my current planning for this season.

All players in silence.

New manager : So basically as per what I've told you guys before on the pitch with Sir Louis Van Gaal, I'll be going to implement along our academy players in our squad so that they could have sufficient playing time as well as lessen your burden. Is that okay for you guys?

Klaasen : I see maybe there's no problem with that. We'll be following on what you want sir.

New manager : Alright then, seems that there's nothing I want to told you guys right now. See you guys around on tomorrow.

Sighing  a little bit


“Hopefully I can bear the challenge of what Louis Van Gall is expecting from me this season”

End Of Season 1 : Treble Dominance In Eredivisie

“It's as expected”,  mumbles Van Gaal

As he sees the landmarks of the competitions Ajax has won this season, all his expectations seems to be achieved within the first season.

“Totally worth it that I appoint this guy since day 1. I already know it!”

“But for the next season, seems we do need to offload some of the fringe players who contribute the least or not contribute to this season at all so that we could generate some cash to improve our academy for the future. Seems recently before I came in, past directors may not do so much on prioritizing the academy graduates, thus making Ajax to be losing their identity time by time”

“I need to discuss with him on this idea so that both of us can be aligned. It would be much easier”

Suddenly the manager passing-by in front of Van Gaal's office when he suddenly realize Van Gaal's frown face from outside.

“Are you okay sir?”

Vam Gaal raises his head

“Oh my…you're already here. Come in!!”

“Sure!"

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“So, how's your first season with Ajax so far?”


“Yeah so far I'm okay with it. It's normal I guess to have the players who were not satisfied much with their game time on the pitch. But seems that…I able to manage, sort of.”

“Great to hear that! Actually it's quite normal for us managers to have those. It's part and parcel to have such situations to happen in any seasons. Even me, during your age, also facing those as well. You may abide well from time to time”

“Yeah”

“So seems the seasons already ended, I would like to congratulate you on bringing Ajax to win the Eredivisie again on your very first season here. Seems there's much potential in you since day 1 of your appointment”

“Haha not so really. I'm just doing my best on performing on the pitch, abide well with those guys and implement back those Ajax traditions to them again so that they could practice and make it as their own bloodlines in their life as long as they're with us”

“Great to hear on that one. So since the first season you're able to navigate Ajax to the title again after some time, I think it's time for something”

“What is it sir?”

“If possible, can you offload most non-Ajax players while increasing the prioritization of De Toekomst players from time to time? I know it's quite hard to that all at once, but I would give you time to do that gradually.”

The manager staring blankly by himself.

With a soft sigh, he replied confidently.

“I'll try to do it. But not all De Toekomst players would be given the chance. As we both also know not all players would be able to have game time with the senior team rightaway.”

“I know.”

“But hopefully…”

Van Gaal paused.

“Those academy players can be given chance to have their own future in Ajax itself rather than with other teams.”

“I will, sir.”

Post-Season 2023/2024 : Collecting Profits and Shift of Focus towards De Toekomst

“Finally I can take my rest for a while now”

The manager seems released a sense of relief since he tried to offload unneeded players and non-AJax players as discussed with Louis Van Gaal recently.

“With all those profits and offloads made, I think those collections can be used for upgrading De Toekomst facilities more efficiently here”

While the manager also monitoring those youth intakes last March of the season…..

“Hopefully those guys here can be considered for future promotion gradually by time. Need to prioritize them from   now on. Only making emergency external transfers for temporary stopgaps only, for now.”


“So I would decide to promote those guys here”

“Only Paz and Manssverk would be considered exemption as I already bought them this season and let them grow with other De Toekomst players. So I would give them chances next season to see whether they can grow or otherwise….”

Pre-Season 2024/2025 : New Formation and Seamless Transition towards De Toekomst

So for this new season, I would decide to use this formation instead…

Maybe this is quite familiar. This is the one Louis Van Gaal has used during the Ajax rising into Champions League,  the 3-3-3-1 formation.

On the base of the back 3, I would use both Wide Centerback in Support roles, in the middle of them would be Ball-Playing Defender in Defend roles

For midfield three, would consists of Center Midfield in Attack role, Center Midfield in Support role and Defensive Midfield in Defend role.

While the front four would consists of Complete Forward in Attack role, left side in Inside Forward in Support role, No 10 as Trequartista role, and right side would be in Winger in Support role

In-Depth Analysis of 3-3-3-1 (or 3-3-1-3) Formation and How It Suits for De Toekomst Players

In Ajax rebuild, my main intention actually is to revive and replicate back Louis Van Gaal's Ajax team during 1994-1995 season whereby his exact team won Eredivisie, KNVB Cup and Champions League, meaning to say won the treble.

But instead of replicate it the exact LVG's Ajax system, I'm trying to blend, mix 'n match from my own tactical perspectives on how can improvise more this kind of classical formation to adapt modern game today.

For the back 3, I do research some of the tactics enthusiast always emphasize the middle of the centerback as normal Central Defender. But for me, actually the middle of the back three is the most crucial for Total Football buildup, especially building from the back. While both center backs on both sides will spread wide so that they can intricate passes on the wide space if the middle space is so congested.

Both side centerbacks will spread wide to provide more space and options for the Ball-Playing Centerback (the middle one) to make progressive passes.

And at the same time, it creates the initial diamond between the three center backs and the DM (No 6)

Next, the No 6 will act as pivot to receive any passes from the Centre backs (for buildup from the back) or from front (to circulate the passes to control tempo)

Only for the first diamond here, if their cohesion is already strong, possibly making diagonal passes across multiple directions to the final third.

For double no 8s in front of No 6, most of those would setup as Double Carrilero. But for my own personal perspective which favors 3-2 at the back (3 CBs and 2 DMs or 2 shuttlers) would favors either one as Centre Midfielder in Support role, while the others in Attacking role.

This is to ensure that the 3-2-4-1 shape can be created during breakthrough to final third.

This transition shape is the most important during transitional period as it forms box-shape to create numerical superiority in the middle of the pitch, while maintain cover for back three and front three.

Those wide Centre backs at the same time also protecting as second defensive layer for newly-formed double 6s / double 8s in defensive stance, while double 10s act as cover for 3 frontlines to keep focus on attacking priorities while maintaining support in-behind whenever necessary

While the front fours (No 10 + 3 frontlines), I would set up either one of the wingers to tuck inside as Inside Forwards to break into space on channels left by oppositions. While the other winger will stick to the touchline as Classical Wingers itself, tends to drop to pick up the ball while providing defensive cover at times as well

The No 10s, most of them will set-up as Shadow Strikers or Advanced Playmakers, I intend to use Trequartista here. I do realize Papu Gomez (ex-Atalanta) who truly excel this kind of role even though he already at mid-30s but still capable of impacting final third play due to his excellent off-the-ball movements to manipulate space and at the same time provide space to others to burst into.

Maybe not everyone would familiar on how the Trequartista role here. You may try to learn more on how the Trequartista role can impact overall goalscoring, also if you may want to seek other initiative from using initial AM role or AP role, through these Youtube videos below;

For the striker, some of them would use Advanced Forward, and some of them would use Target Forward, but for me, I like my No 9 to keep actively moving from anywhere he can help the team, so I would use Complete Forward here.

After all the explanations given, I would expect my revise-and-revamp 3-3-3-1 (or 3-3-1-3) to be as below;

If you would like to try using this 3-3-3-1 (or 3-3-1-3) that I have explained right now, feel free to download the tactic file I already attached along.

Have fun!

AJAX 2024/2025

THE VAN GAAL PROJECT

Rebuilding Total Football

Amsterdam in July 2024 feels different.

The streets around the Johan Cruyff Arena buzz with cautious optimism.

Ajax is not chasing expensive superstars.

Instead, the club is returning to its greatest strength:

football intelligence and youth development.

The architect behind the project is Louis van Gaal.

His plan is radical in modern football.

Instead of copying trends from England or Spain, Ajax will reconstruct its original positional philosophy.

The tactical foundation is a 3-3-3-1 positional structure, designed to maximize:

• ball circulation
• positional triangles
• academy integration

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PART I

THE EREDIVISIE SEASON STORY

The Return of Total Football

In the early morning light over Amsterdam, the glass façade of the Johan Cruyff Arena reflects a club preparing for renewal.

For years Ajax had remained respected across Europe, yet something fundamental had faded: the clarity of its football identity.

The appointment of Louis van Gaal signals a deliberate shift.

This is not merely a managerial decision. It is a philosophical reset.

Van Gaal’s plan is simple but ambitious:

Restore Ajax’s positional football identity through the 3-3-3-1 structure.

This system is not designed merely to win matches.

It is designed to educate players, develop youth, and re-establish Ajax as football’s most intelligent ecosystem.

PART I

The Tactical Identity

The 3-3-3-1 formation becomes the structural backbone of Ajax’s season.

Unlike traditional formations, the system is designed to constantly transform depending on the phase of play.

At its core lies positional balance.

Defensive Structure

Ajax’s back line consists of three defenders capable of initiating build-up play:

• Jorrel Hato
• Strahinja Pavlović
• Jarell Quansah

Rather than simply defending, they are responsible for launching positional attacks from the back.

Midfield Control

At the center of the system sits the tempo controller:

• Aleix García

His role is comparable to the deep-lying conductors that defined classic Ajax teams.

Supporting him are two advanced midfielders:

• Kenneth Taylor
• Davy Klaassen

These players create the midfield engine that allows Ajax to dominate possession.

Attacking Structure

In front of the midfield triangle stands the creative connector:

• André Almeida

He operates between lines, linking midfield control with attacking movement.

The width of Ajax’s attack is provided by:

• David Kalokoh
• Gerónimo Rivera

Their role is crucial: stretching defenses to create central space.

At the top of the structure, the striker position alternates between:

• Dominic Solanke
• Semih Kılıçsoy

The striker serves as both the final attacking reference and the first defender during pressing.

PART II

The Eredivisie Season Narrative

Ajax begins the campaign in the Eredivisie with a mixture of youth optimism and tactical curiosity.

Observers across Dutch football wonder whether the ambitious 3-3-3-1 system can succeed in modern competition.

The season unfolds in distinct phases.

PHASE 1

The Tactical Experiment (Matchdays 1–6)

Early in the season, Ajax focuses on mastering the positional structure.

Key players in this phase:

• Aleix García controlling tempo
• Kenneth Taylor dominating transitions
• Jorrel Hato initiating build-up play

Opponents initially struggle to interpret Ajax's shape.

When defending, Ajax looks like:

5-4-1.

When attacking, the structure morphs into:

3-2-5.

The system begins working.

Ajax averages 67% possession.

PHASE 2

The Youth Breakthrough (Matchdays 7–14)

The attacking wings become Ajax’s most exciting weapon.

Young attackers from the academy explode into form:

• David Kalokoh
• Gerónimo Rivera

Both players stretch defenses vertically and horizontally.

Meanwhile the striker role rotates between:

• Dominic Solanke
• Semih Kılıçsoy

Ajax becomes the highest-scoring team in the league during this period.

PHASE 3

The Tactical Counterattack (Matchdays 15–21)

Dutch rivals begin adapting.

Teams attempt:

• ultra-compact defensive blocks
• aggressive counterattacks
• pressing traps on Aleix García

But the Ajax midfield triangle proves resilient.

Veteran leadership from Davy Klaassen becomes crucial.

His positional intelligence keeps the team balanced.

PHASE 4

Title Pressure (Matchdays 22–28)

The season enters its most difficult stage.

Injuries test squad depth.

Young academy players rotate into the lineup.

But the system remains stable because every player understands the positional principles taught at AFC Ajax Youth Academy (De Toekomst).

Ajax stays within three points of the league lead.

PHASE 5

The Final Push (Matchdays 29–34)

Spring arrives in Amsterdam.

Ajax begins its strongest run of the season.

The defensive trio solidifies:

• Strahinja Pavlović
• Jorrel Hato
• Jarell Quansah

The team concedes fewer than 0.8 goals per game during the final stretch.

Ajax finishes the season as one of the most tactically admired teams in Europe.

PART II

THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE JOURNEY

Ajax returns to the UEFA Champions League determined to prove that philosophy can still compete with financial power.

Group Stage

Ajax draws a challenging group.

But the team’s positional play shocks opponents.

European commentators begin discussing the revival of Dutch positional football.

Key performances come from:

• André Almeida controlling attacking transitions
• Aleix García dictating tempo

Ajax advances from the group stage.

Knockout Round

The round of sixteen becomes a tactical showcase.

Ajax faces a financially stronger opponent but dominates possession.

The match becomes a masterclass in collective positional play.

The football world takes notice again.

PART IV

The Ajax Development Model

Ajax’s greatest strength is not financial power.

It is a structured development ecosystem.

At the center of this system stands the academy known as De Toekomst.

Young players progress through several stages:

Youth Academy

Players aged 15 to 17 develop technical mastery and positional awareness.

Jong Ajax

The reserve team competes in the Eerste Divisie, exposing young talents to professional competition.

First-Team Integration

Promising players rotate into the senior squad, gradually adapting to top-level football.

European Showcase

The most successful talents eventually compete in the Champions League, gaining international recognition.

This ladder ensures that Ajax consistently produces players capable of performing at the highest level.

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EPILOGUE

Ajax as a Football School

As the season concludes, evening lights illuminate the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Ajax’s achievements extend beyond league standings.

The club has rediscovered something more valuable:

a clear football identity.

The 3-3-3-1 system has proven more than a tactical experiment.

It has become a teaching tool, allowing young players to understand the game at a deeper level.

Louis van Gaal reviews the final season report.

Seven academy graduates have played significant minutes.

The club has returned to its roots.

Ajax is not merely competing again.

Ajax is once again educating the future of football. ⚽