Francesco Farioli resigns as Ajax manager

Francesco Farioli has stepped down as Ajax’s head coach following the club’s dramatic end to the 2024/25 Eredivisie season’

The 36-year-old Italian manager, who took charge in May 2024 after leaving French side Nice, resigned on May 19, 2025. His departure comes just hours after Ajax lost the league title to PSV Eindhoven by a single point, despite having held a nine-point lead with only seven matches left in the season.

In a statement, Farioli cited “differing visions and timeframes” with Ajax’s management regarding the future of the team. He explained that although they shared the same goals, their approaches to achieving those goals were not aligned.

Farioli was widely credited with reviving Ajax’s fortunes after a disappointing fifth-place finish the previous year. Under his leadership, the club returned to the UEFA Champions League and appeared poised for a league title before a late-season slump cost them the crown.

His coaching staff also departed alongside him. Meanwhile, Farioli has already been linked with other high-profile jobs, including a potential move to the Premier League, where he is reportedly on Tottenham Hotspur’s shortlist to replace Ange Postecoglou.