New Ajax coach Erik ten Hag spoke to the press after leading his first training session at the club.
- By Michael Bell
- Follow Michael on Twitter
Ten Hag left Utrecht to take over from the sacked Marcel Keizer last month and was on the training field for the first time on Sunday as Ajax prepare for the second half of the season.
Afterwards, Ten Hag spoke to the press, “It was a great first training day.
“Of course it is very different than starting in the summer. Then you have six weeks to get the team to your hand, that time is now limited to two weeks. This requires a different approach. The coming days it will intensify, with conversations with staff and players. And, naturally, a lot of information emerges from the training courses.”
Ten Hag’s first game in charge will be against Feyenoord at home before a tricky trip to FC Utrecht. The new coach stated that the goal for the rest of the campaign is to become Eredivisie champions.
He said, “Of course, as a trainer you want to put your mark on the game and this will have to go hand in hand with the battle for the title. The mission is to become champion this season. The hole is five points, that is bridgeable. However, the play method is always the starting point. You base your choices there as a staff. The play of the team and the individual must improve, every day. Good is not good enough. “