Former Ajax player as new general director? 'We must simply have the best'

General director Menno Geelen will leave Ajax on April 1, prompting a search for his successor; the club's leadership has not ruled out appointing a former Ajax player to the role.

Ajax general director Menno Geelen has announced he will step down early, departing on April 1 rather than waiting until the end of his contract next summer. The decision was revealed at the club's annual shareholders' meeting at the Johan Cruijff Arena on Tuesday.

Geelen explained the timing, saying it is important for his successor to have time to prepare for the new season and transfer window. The question of who will replace him dominated the meeting, with particular focus on whether Ajax should appoint a former player to the role—a preference Geelen has previously expressed.

Current examples of ex-Ajax figures in senior positions include technical director Jordi Cruijff, technical manager Siem de Jong, and supervisory board member Edo Ophof.

When asked directly, supervisory board chairman Lesley Bamberger declined to commit to hiring a former Ajax player, stating: "We must have the best. The best general director." Board chairman Ernst Boekhorst added that the club should first establish a vision and profile for the role.

Geelen, who has worked at Ajax since 2010 and took the general director position in 2024 after stepping in for Alex Kroes, acknowledged the role's difficulty and the instability caused by recent management changes, saying he bore responsibility for the unrest.