Landzaat and Musampa Depart Ajax as Míchel Finalizes New Coaching Staff
Ajax is undergoing a comprehensive restructuring of its first-team technical staff, with assistant coaches Denny Landzaat and Kiki Musampa departing the club. The changes, which also include the exits of several performance and support staff members, ensure that incoming head coach Míchel will oversee a completely new technical setup as the team prepares for its first training session this Friday.
Did You Know? Kiki Musampa initially moved from the Jong Ajax youth setup to the first-team staff in March, a transition facilitated by his fluency in the Spanish language.
Why the technical staff is being overhauled
The club is currently selecting a new support structure to align with the arrival of Míchel. According to reports, the new head coach is bringing his own team to Amsterdam, including two Spanish assistants, a performance coach, a keeper trainer, and a video analyst. Juanvi Peinado has already confirmed his role as an assistant, while reports indicate that performance coach David Porcel and keeper trainer Juan Carlos Balaguer are expected to join from Girona.
This turnover extends beyond the coaching assistants. Other departures include head of physical performance Sam Feringa, head of top sports Martijn Redegeld, keeper trainer Erik Heijblok, and video analyst Liam Helsloot. Notably, Heijblok and Helsloot are moving to join Francesco Farioli in Porto. These departures mark a significant shift in the personnel surrounding the first team.
Expert Insight: The club is selecting through the support staff surrounding the first team.
What could happen next for the Ajax staff
With the first veldtraining scheduled for Friday, the club is expected to announce the finalized staff list imminently. While the core of Míchel’s team appears set, technical director Jordi Cruijff is reportedly looking to add an additional “Ajax-assistant” to the group.
Elsewhere in the club, organizational shifts are already underway, such as the return of Paul Nuijten as trainer for Ajax O19. The upcoming period will likely see the new staff transition into daily operations as they attempt to integrate their specific training methods ahead of the new season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is leaving the Ajax technical staff?
Denny Landzaat and Kiki Musampa are departing, alongside head of physical performance Sam Feringa, head of top sports Martijn Redegeld, keeper trainer Erik Heijblok, and video analyst Liam Helsloot.
Where are Erik Heijblok and Liam Helsloot going?
Both have moved to join Francesco Farioli in Porto.
Is the technical staff for the new season finalized?
The staff of Míchel is rounded and is set to be presented shortly, though technical director Jordi Cruijff is still looking to appoint an additional “Ajax-assistant.”
How do you believe the addition of an internal “Ajax-assistant” will influence the integration of the new coaching staff?