After seven league games without a victory, Ajax fired Alfred Schreuder as manager of the team.

After a 1-1 tie with mediocre Volendam, which dropped Ajax to fifth place in the Dutch premier division and seven points behind leader Feyenoord, the decision was made.

After Erik ten Hag left the team to join Manchester United the previous year, Schreuder assumed control of the organization.

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“This is a painful decision, but it’s necessary,” said Ajax chief executive Edwin van der Sar.

“Regardless of the good start to the season, we lost a lot of unnecessary points. The football itself was precarious too.“

Ajax’s most recent success came on November 1 when they defeated Rangers 3-1 in the Champions League. However, they were unable to advance further in the competition and have since been relegated to the Europa League.

They had one loss and six straight draws in the Eredivisie after that match, with their most recent result coming against third-from-last Volendam.

In addition to selling defender Lisandro Martinez and winger Antony last summer, Schreuder oversaw the departures of Sebastien Haller, Daley Blind, Nicolas Tagliafico, Ryan Gravenberch, and Nicolas Tagliafico from Ajax.

“We gave Alfred our time and trust to change the way things were going. It became clear to us that he could not change the tide,” added Van der Sar.

“Regardless of the many transfers that took place, we consider the squad fit for a championship. We lost a lot of points over the last few weeks and sadly saw a lack of progression.”