Euro setback for the Ajax way

Ajax have such a memorable past, as a football institution as well as serial winners, that it is easy to forget they have had their ups and downs.

They started this season on the back of three consecutive title wins, Frank De Boer matching the achievement of his famous predecessors Rinus Michels and Louis Van Gaal. They had also finally put their off-field issues behind them — the disputes that led to a boardroom coup 18 months ago masterminded by Johan Cruyff.

The aim was to return the club to its traditions and reconstruct the production line of homegrown players that made Ajax a model for Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Arsenal. The entire supervisory board resigned, Van Gaal was prevented from becoming a director, and Cruyff nominees joined the coaching staff, including Dennis Bergkamp and Marc Overmars.