{{Infobox Football club |
clubname = Ajax |
image = [[Image:Ajax Amsterdam.svg|150px|Ajax logo]] |
fullname = Amsterdamsche<br>Football Club Ajax [[Naamloze Vennootschap|NV]] |
nickname = ''Godenzonen'' (Sons of the Gods)<br>''Joden'' (Jews) |
founded = [[March 18]], [[1900]] |
ground = [[Amsterdam ArenA]]<br>[[Amsterdam]] |
capacity = 51,628 <ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.amsterdamarena.nl/over_amsterdam_arena/wist_je_dat/en/|title= Amsterdan ArenA - Did you know?|accessdate= 2006-12-10|publisher = Amsterdam ArenA}}</ref> |
chairman = {{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[John Jaakke]] |
manager = {{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Adrie Koster]](temporary) |
league = [[Eredivisie]] |
season = [[Eredivisie 2006/2007|2006-07]] |
position = Eredivisie, 2nd |
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}}

'''Amsterdamsche Football Club Ajax''' ({{euronext|AJAX}}), also referred to as '''AFC Ajax''', or simply '''Ajax''', is a professional [[football (soccer)|football]] [[football team|club]] from [[Amsterdam]], [[Netherlands]]. The club is historically one of the three clubs that dominate the Dutch national football league ([[Eredivisie]]), the other two being [[Feyenoord]] and [[PSV Eindhoven|PSV]].

Ajax is one of the five teams that has [[European Champion Clubs' Cup|earned the right]] to keep the [[UEFA Champions League|European Cup]]; they won consecutively in 1971-1973. In 1972, they completed [[The Treble#The European Treble|The Treble]] by winning the Dutch [[Eredivisie]], [[KNVB Cup]], and the European Cup; to date they are the only team to keep the European Cup and accomplish the European Treble, also Ajax are one of the only two teams (with [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] in [[1999]]) to win the [[The Treble#The European Treble|The Treble]] and the [[Intercontinental Cup (football)|Intercontinental Cup]] in the same season/calender year, this was achieved in the legendary 1971/72 season <ref name=Supercup>UEFA sanctioned the UEFA Supercup for the first time in 1973. In 1972 was a unofficial edition and the I Centenary of [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers FC]] (see [http://www.uefa.com/competitions/supercup/history/index.html History of the UEFA Supercup] in uefa.com).</ref>. They are also one of only three clubs (with [[Juventus F.C.|Juventus]] and [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]]) to have won all three major European trophies at least once (the [[UEFA Champions League|European Cup]], the European [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup|Cup Winners' Cup]] and the [[UEFA Cup]]). They were the first team to win what has become the [[UEFA Intertoto Cup]] <ref name=Intertoto>UEFA sanctioned the UEFA Intertoto Cup for the first time in 1995. In 1960's has an unofficial status (See [http://www.uefa.com/competitions/intertotocup/history/index.html History of UEFA Intertoto Cup] in uefa.com).</ref>. Ajax has also won the [[Intercontinental Cup (football)|Intercontinental Cup]] twice.

==History==
The club was founded in Amsterdam on [[March 18]], [[1900]] by [[Floris Stempel]], [[Carel Reeser]] and the brothers [[Han Dade|Han]] and [[Johan Dade]]. It was the second incarnation, after a short-lived previous attempt (as the Footh-Ball Club Ajax) in 1894.

After several years, Ajax succeeded in promotion to the highest level of football in 1911, under the guidance of [[Jack Kirwan]] (their first official coach). Besides the achievement itself, this year turned out to be another historical milestone: due to the fact that [[Sparta Rotterdam]] (a respected and successful football club in those days) already wore the jersey with the vertical red and white stripes, Ajax was prompted to alter its own design with the famous red-and-white combination that they have donned as their home outfit until this day.

Although their efforts were not unnoticed (Gé Fortgens became a frequent member of the [[Netherlands national football team|Dutch national team]] for a while) they were relegated in 1914. While they immediately bounced back, they had to wait until 1917 to regain higher level status again: they did become league champions in both 1915 and 1916, however the 1915 league was declared unofficial (due to World War I), whereas in 1916 they did not make it through the promotion round.

Under the guidance of [[Jack Reynolds (1881-1962)|Jack Reynolds]] (Kirwan's successor as of 1915) the club promoted to the highest level in 1917 and won the Dutch national cup final - defeating VSV with 5-0. Ajax went on to win their first national championship in 1918.

The championship was secured in [[Tilburg]] (where they faced [[Willem II Tilburg|Willem II]] in the league), though not without some consternation: Jan de Natris, arguably the club's first 'star player', missed the train to Tilburg and opted to stay in Amsterdam instead - earning him a fine of 10 cents. In the following season he even earned a six month ban, but Ajax did well in his absence: not only did they retain the championship title, their 1919 campaign was also an unbeaten run for them - an accomplishment that was only repeated 76 years later by Ajax themselves.

Now a regular contender for the Western Regional championship in the Netherlands, Ajax marched through the twenties with regional titles in 1921, 1927 and 1928, next to a few minor cups. The 1930s would prove to be more successful however; with household names as [[Wim Anderiesen|Wim Anderiesen Sr.]], Dolf van Kol, Piet Strijbosch, Wim Volkers, Jan van Diepenbeek, Bob ten Have, Erwin van Wijngaarden and prolific striker Piet van Reenen, Ajax' period from the late twenties until [[World War II]] was so successful that many people dubbed it 'the golden century' (a pun on the [[17th century]], the heyday of the [[Dutch Republic]]

With no less than six regional titles (1930, 1931, 1932, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1939) and 5 national championships (1931, 1932, 1934, 1937, 1939) Ajax was the most successful team of that era. The thirties were also notable for the final culmination of the rivalry with [[Feyenoord]], another squad that earned many awards in that time, as well as the creation of the stadium 'het Ajax-Stadion' dubbed [[De Meer Stadion|'De Meer']] (named after the borough of its residence). Until the emergence of the [[Amsterdam ArenA]] in 1996, this was Ajax' home ground (alongside the [[Olympisch Stadion (Amsterdam)|Olympic Stadium]] for matches of greater notoriety).

As of the 1940's, perhaps in line with Jack Reynolds' retirement (he had stayed - save for a few spells of absence - on for the entire time as Ajax' manager since his entry in 1915), Ajax went through a period of recuperation. Except for Gerrit Fischer and Erwin van Wijngaarden, Ajax got a complete make-over. Now with Joop Stoffelen, Guus Dräger, [[Gé van Dijk]], Jan Potharst and later [[Rinus Michels]] and [[Cor van der Hart]] as the new icons, Ajax managed to keep its name among the greatest in the Dutch national league. After a Cup Final victory in 1943, Ajax went on to finish second in the championship league in 1946 (behind [[HFC Haarlem]] followed by a number one finish in 1947.

They became regional champions in 1950 again, though they never came near winning the championship. Nevertheless, their performance was not an anonymous one, as this contained the famous match against [[SC Heerenveen|Heerenveen]]. In that match Ajax were completely overthrown by Heerenveen in the later phase of the match, not even able to maintain a lead with a 1-5 score (the match ended 6-5 in favor of the [[Frisia]]n side). In March 1941 Ajax performed the opposite: after being 6-0 behind to VUC in [[The Hague]] they managed to pull out a draw in the end (6-6).

Until 1954, the year that professional football was introduced in the Netherlands, Ajax had some minor successes, with the regional title in 1952 and a second place in the regional championship in 1954 (equalling in points with fellow Amsterdam club [[Door Wilskracht Sterk|DWS]]).

===Professional football and the road to the top===
While professional football was finally permitted in the Netherlands, Ajax was still far from the international top, as was demonstrated in the [[UEFA Champions League|European Cup]] match against [[Vasas SC]], where they were overthrown by the Hungarians 4-0 in the [[Stadium Puskás Ferenc|Népstadion]]). Similar disappointing international knock-outs followed in 1960 (by the Norwegian amateurs of [[Fredrikstad F.K.|Fredrikstad FK]], and, in the [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup|Cup Winners' Cup]] in 1961 against the [[Újpest FC|Újpesti Dózsa]] of [[Ferenc Bene]].

But they did fairly well on national level, earning the first [[Eredivisie]]-championship in 1957 and again in 1960. Especially that last title became memorable because of the way it was won; after equalling in points with arch-rivals Feyenoord a decisive match had to be played between the two contenders. Ajax cruised to a 5-1 victory with striker Wim Bleijenberg getting his name on the score sheet in threefold.

Bleijenberg was not the great striker of that time however, that title belonged to Henk Groot (although his older brother Cees Groot also scored a 100 goals for Ajax in his 5 year stay.). Arriving in 1959 from Stormvogels he immediately went on a scoring spree, scoring 38 goals in 1959/60 and 41 goals in 1960/61. He was a vital part of the Ajax in the early sixties, virtually replacing Piet van der Kuil (the star in the late fifties, who left to [[PSV Eindhoven|PSV]] in 1960) as the new 'man of the hour'. Alongside the man who would later become ''Mister Ajax'', [[Sjaak Swart]], Co Prins, Ton Pronk, Bennie Muller and a young [[Piet Keizer]] Ajax added the National Cup in 1961 and the Intertoto Cup 1962 to their trophy cabinet.

After missing the championship after a 5-2 defeat against PSV in 1963, Ajax went descendo in the national competition. Henk Groot left to Feyenoord that summer, and in 1964/65 it went so bad that they were near direct relegation. Things would turn for the better though, especially after former player [[Rinus Michels]] replaced [[Vic Buckingham]] as the head manager. Ajax managed to secure a midtable spot under Michels, but Buckingham's second tenure was not a complete disappointment as he was the first coach to introduce [[Johan Cruijff]] (during the 3-1 loss at GVAV).

Michels started a revolution in Amsterdam, beginning with the return of Henk Groot and Co Prins, as well as the installment of Gert Bals as the new first goalie. Taking delicate steps on the way to the 'total football' that Michels envisioned, he showed no mercy in sacrificing players who he considered not to be good enough. Most notable example of this was defender Frits Soetekouw (who was replaced by Ajax' new leader [[Velibor Vasović]]), whose own goal aided to the victory of [[Dukla Praha|Dukla Prague]] in the quarter-final of the European Cup in 1966/67, after Ajax had knocked out [[Beşiktaş J.K.|Beşiktaş]] and defeated [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] with 5-1.

Ajax sealed their second consecutive championship in 1967. Not as dominant as the previous year, but with a seemingly unstoppable offensive side: they scored no less than 122 goals (still a national record), of which 33 were from Johan Cruijff, at 20 years old already the star player. It was also the season for another important milestone: for the first time in history, Ajax won the double (after defeating [[NAC Breda|NAC]] in the cup final).

It earned them a European Cup match-up against [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]] in the next season, providing them an even greater reputation than they had last year. However, after two 1-1 draws, [[Ignacio Zoco]] scored the winner for ''Los Merengues'' in extra time.

Ajax won the Dutch title of 1968 (after Feyenoord had led the league for a long while) and reached the European Cup final of 1969 in [[Madrid]]. Getting there proved to be quite difficult though. After deafeating [[1. FC Nürnberg|FC Nürnberg]] in the first round, they were almost knocked out by [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]] in the second one, losing 3-1 to them in Amsterdam. Thanks to an amazing comeback, given shape by goals of Inge Danielsson and Johan Cruijff, Ajax returned their favour in [[Lisbon]] and knocked the Portuguese champions out in a decisive match played in Paris (3-0). They repeated this score against the next opponent, [[FC Spartak Trnava|Spartak Trnava]], but barely survived in the away match.

Keeping the score at 2-0, Ajax went on to be [[A.C. Milan|AC Milan]]'s opponent in the final. The Italians, lauded for their excellent defense and counter-attacks, waltzed over them with ease. [[Pierino Prati]] opened the score after 7 minutes and went on to become the man of match with three goals, while [[Velibor Vasović]] was the only Ajax player to get one back at Milan by scoring a penalty. Thanks to Milan-striker [[Angelo Sormani]] the game ended in 4-1.

===''Gloria Ajax''===
As of the new season, Ajax' primary team was renewed. Among the new additions were national top scorer Dick van Dijk and midfielders Gerrie Mühren and Nico Rijnders, while second team player [[Ruud Krol]] was promoted to the first eleven. They replaced Klaas Nuninga, Inge Danielsson, Theo van Duijvenbode (all sold to other clubs) and Henk Groot (quit football after an injury while playing against [[Poland national football team|Poland]], while Ton Pronk and Bennie Muller were no longer as frequently in the first XI after many years of service.

With a refreshed selection, Ajax went for another attempt to win the European Cup. They had lost the Eredivisie title to Feyenoord last season, but conquering this season's title proved to be an easy task, winning 27 out of 34 games by scoring exactly 100 goals. For a long while Feyenoord stayed close to the men from Amsterdam, but they had to settle for a second place. In the end both clubs could bring a cup home: Ajax won the Eredivisie title while Feyenoord won the [[European Cup 1969-70|European Cup]].

After Ajax reached the semi-finals of the [[Inter-Cities Fairs Cup]] in 1970 (being knocked out by [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] after defeating [[Hannover 96]], [[S.S.C. Napoli|Napoli]], [[Ruch Chorzów]] and [[FC Carl Zeiss Jena|Carl Zeiss Jena]]), 1971 became the long awaited year of glory. For a long while Ajax seemed to be on their way to the treble (a feat only previously performed by [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] in 1967) if it weren't for the longer breath that Feyenoord had in the competition. The national cup stayed in Ajax' hands however (won after a double final against Sparta).

Ajax had defeated ([[17 Nëntori]], [[FC Basel]], [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] and [[Atlético Madrid]] en route to the 1971 European Cup final played at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley]] on June 2. There, 83,000 spectators witnessed how Dick van Dijk opened the score against [[Panathinaikos FC|Panathinaikos]]. Ajax scored another goal in the dying minutes of the game when Arie Haan's shot was deflected by defender Kapsis.

Wrapping things up with a 2-0 score, team captain Vasović could finally lift the European Cup (losing the final in 1966 with [[FK Partizan]] and again in 1969), showing it later to the crowd that was celebrating on the streets of Amsterdam.

In the following years Ajax established itself as the new ruler of Europe. Staff and team changes could not discourage the team's power. Whether it was Stefan Kovacs replacing coach Michels in 1971, Rijnders and Vasović' departure in the same year, Van Dijk's departure in 1972 - it seemed like nothing could stop them. Perhaps the greatest example of this was their performance chart of 1972, winning all the of the competitions that they participated in (European Cup, [[Intercontinental Cup (football)|Intercontinental Cup]], [[UEFA Super Cup]], National Championship and the KNVB Cup), an achievement never shown again by any other club. And 1973 seemed like a simple continuation of that situation, securing themselves of yet another Dutch championship and moreover, the third consecutive European Cup.

It all started to fall apart when Johan Cruijff left the gang for Barcelona in 1973, effectively ending the reign of the 'Twelve Apostles' (The usual line-up [[Heinz Stuy]] - [[Wim Suurbier]], [[Barry Hulshoff]], [[Horst Blankenburg]], [[Ruud Krol]] - [[Arie Haan]], [[Johan Neeskens]], [[Gerrie Mühren]] - Sjaak Swart, Johan Cruijff, Keizer plus the usual twelfth man which was [[Ruud Suurendonk]] until 1972 and then [[Johnny Rep]]). Were clubs like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Internazionale, Arsenal, Juventus and Independiente not too big of an obstacle until then, they could not get past [[PFC CSKA Sofia|CSKA Sofia]] in late '73. With the UEFA Super Cup of '73 as a consolation prize, Ajax had to wait for a couple of decades for another era of European success.

Nevertheless, the 'total football' that they had propagated became a lasting memory for many football fans, also because of the great performance of the [[Netherlands national football team|Dutch national team]] on the following World Cup - using similar tactics. Manager [[Tomislav Ivić]] would later dub the era 'Gloria Ajax', illustrating the impact of their years at the top.

===The 1st Renaissance===
That same Ivić coached Ajax to their first championship after their heyday, in 1977. After that year Ajax resumed to frequently winning national honours, though impressive international performances were sparse. An unfortunate knock-out against Juventus in the quarterfinal of the European Cup in 1978 and a European Cup semifinal in 1980 (KO by Nottingham Forest) was all that Ajax could do until the late eighties. Especially the run between 1980 and 1986 was disappointing, not getting past the second round for six years in a row. 1987 would become the turning point however, in two different ways.

Until then there was rarely something to complain on national level (although the club went through a period of several internal conflicts) as they won 5 championships after '77 as well as 4 cups. Johan Cruijff even came back in 1981, giving the talented youngsters [[Wim Kieft]], [[John van 't Schip]], [[Marco van Basten]], [[Gerald Vanenburg]], [[Jesper Olsen]] and [[Frank Rijkaard]] - Ajax's trademark players of the 80's - some guidance. After leaving the club in '83 (after a conflict with president Harmsen) for Feyenoord, he returned once again in 1985 as the new manager.

Cruijff's offensive tactics are immediately illustrated in his first active season, when Ajax ends the season with 120 goals in total on the scoresheet, of which 37 were from Ajax' new great star, forward Marco van Basten. It was not enough to retain the championship however, losing for two years in a row to PSV.

Despite the lack of a championship Cruijff's Ajax did bring a European Cup back to Amsterdam. Following the victory against [[Lokomotive Leipzig]], they could once again celebrate on the balcony on the [[Leidseplein]], this time to show Amsterdam the [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1986-87|'87 Cup Winners Cup]]. They got close to winning it in the consecutive year, but [[Y.R. K.V. Mechelen|KV Mechelen]] proved to be too strong in the final which Ajax ended with 10 men.

By that time Cruijff was already gone, as a result of the declining results in the national league. With most of the 80's stars also departed, Ajax continued to compete for the title with PSV in the next years, usually ending in favour of the latter party. Other negative aspects of the period 1988-1991 was the fraud-case in 1989, as well as the European suspension after a hooligan threw a bar at the goalie of [[FK Austria Wien|Austria Wien]] in a UEFA-Cup match in the same year.

Things seemed to clear up a bit later that year, as they even went on to win the championship race with PSV for a change in 1990, and came shy of two goals in 1991 for a back-to-back run.

Early in the next season, the coach under whom the abovementioned was achieved left; lured by his former club, [[Leo Beenhakker]] went back to Real Madrid. His successor was [[Louis van Gaal]], the former assistant-coach. Like Cruijff, Van Gaal rapidly made his mark by altering Ajax' tactics. Also like Cruijff his efforts were rewarded in his first season at the helm, by winning the [[UEFA Cup]] after a thrilling final against [[Torino F.C.|AC Torino]]. Although he did not play the last game of the final, Europe had also definitely met the skills of Ajax' most talented player: [[Dennis Bergkamp]], who had contributed six goals on the road to their victory.

In the Netherlands, Bergkamp had already won 2 consecutive topscorer titles (1991, 1992) but once again the Eredivisie title had to be left for PSV to take. In 1992/93 Ajax even had to settle for a third spot in the final ranking (for first time since 1984), somewhat making up for it by winning the national cup.

It turned out to be the last award that Bergkamp would win with Ajax, as he and buddy [[Wim Jonk]] left to [[F.C. Internazionale Milano|Internazionale]]. His loss was quickly forgotten by an excellent performance of [[Jari Litmanen]] on his position, establishing himself as the new number 10 of Ajax. Aside from Litmanen, Ajax attracted [[Finidi George]] and the returned [[Frank Rijkaard]], providing the base for van Gaal to build on.

They won the national title of 1994, followed by a [[UEFA Champions League 1994-95|Champions league victory]] in [[1994-95 in Dutch football|1995]]. Preceded by an unbeaten run in the national league to take the title of 1995, the season was a memorable way for Rijkaard to end his playing career, while striker [[Patrick Kluivert]] had an excellent start to his, with the then 18-year-old coming off the bench to score a late winner to beat [[A.C. Milan|AC Milan]] in the final of the Champions League. Ajax went on to beat Brazilian side [[Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense|Grêmio]] on penalties to win the unofficial World Club Cup -- the [[Intercontinental Cup (football)|Intercontinental Cup]], also known as the Toyota Cup.

The following season, Ajax continued to succeed on the European front, succumbing only to [[Juventus F.C.|Juventus]] on penalties in the final. Van Gaal's success came to an end in 1997, and he duly parted ways with the Amsterdam club.

Danish coach [[Morten Olsen]] was brought in. He attracted Danish national team captain [[Michael Laudrup]] to the club, and together they won the Double of league championship and the Dutch cup. In his second year at the club, tension arose between Olsen and the Dutch players Ronald de Boer and Frank de Boer, and Olsen was sacked in 1998.

Soon all the team's young stars that had heralded the Ajax Renaissance were gone -- [[Clarence Seedorf]] in 1995 [[Edgar Davids]], [[Michael Reiziger]], [[Finidi George]] and [[Nwankwo Kanu]] in 1996 [[Patrick Kluivert]], [[Marc Overmars]] and [[Winston Bogarde]] in 1997 [[Ronald de Boer]] and [[Frank de Boer]] in 1998 and [[Edwin van der Sar]] and [[Jari Litmanen]] in 1999, together with the retirment of [[Frank Rijkaard]] in 1995 and [[Danny Blind]] in 1999 every key player of the fabulous 1994/1995 team left Amsterdam; together with the departure of the technical team and the change of homeground from [[De Meer Stadion|De Meer]] to the [[Amsterdam ArenA]] and the fact that the football club went public by going to the Amsterdam Stock Exchange the [[AEX index]], it signaled the end of an era for the club.

===Recent events===
Since the success with the 1995 Champions league, Ajax have struggled to rediscover their European form. The only minor encouragement came in the 2002/03 season. Led by captain [[Cristian Chivu]], [[Rafael van der Vaart]], [[Zlatan Ibrahimović]], [[Mido (footballer)|Mido]] and the return of a legend in [[Jari Litmanen]], manager [[Ronald Koeman]] guided a new crop of talent to within seconds of the Champions League semifinal. Ajax surged through to the quarterfinal of the Champions League, getting past two group stages that contained a number of European heavyweights including Inter, Lyon, Valencia, Roma, and Arsenal. Facing AC Milan in the quarterfinals, Ajax held their own against the Rossoneri, but were finally undone by a last-gasp winner in the dying seconds of the second-leg encounter at the [[San Siro]].

[[Image:Arena crowd.jpg|thumb|250px|Ajax in a match against [[NEC (football club)|NEC]] in the [[Amsterdam ArenA]] in 2006]]

Koeman's early success was short-lived. In 2005, he resigned after Ajax' defeat to [[AJ Auxerre|Auxerre]] in the [[UEFA Cup]] tournament. This resignation was also the aftermath of Koeman's long-standing spat with then football director [[Louis van Gaal]] who had questioned Koeman's managerial abilities after Ajax' dry spell in the domestic league — which saw them languishing in fifth position at the beginning of 2005. Former Ajax-player [[Danny Blind]], who, aside from working as Koeman's technical coach and advisor, had virtually no top-level manager experience, was unveiled as their new coach. Blind instantly caused consternation by announcing that the club was to play using a 4-4-2, abandoning the [[Total Football]]-oriented 4-3-3 that has become Ajax' trademark. This season also saw the departure of key players [[Rafael van der Vaart]] and [[Nigel de Jong]] to [[Hamburger SV]], while six others ([[Hatem Trabelsi]], [[Tomáš Galásek]], [[Hans Vonk (footballer)|Hans Vonk]], [[Nourdin Boukhari]], [[Steven Pienaar]] and [[Maxwell Cabelino Andrade|Maxwell]]) revealed they would leave the club at the end of the 2005-2006 season. Blind was sacked on [[May 10]], [[2006]] after 422 days in charge. New coach [[Henk ten Cate]], who won the Champions League and [[La Liga]] in 2006 as the assistant of [[Frank Rijkaard]] with [[FC Barcelona]] gave youngsters a shot to enter the selection of the first team. Ten Cate said youngsters [[Jan Vertonghen]], [[Rydell Poepon]] and [[Robbert Schilder]] would be included in the selection, whereas Greek forward [[Angelos Charisteas]] was sold to [[Feyenoord]]. Ten Cate announced that he wished to return to form and win the Eredivisie in 2007.

Ajax missed out on a [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] place in 2006/2007 after their defeat against [[F.C. Copenhagen|FC Copenhagen]] (3-2 on aggregate). As a result, Ajax played against [[I.K. Start|IK Start]] from Norway in the first round of the [[UEFA Cup]] September 14 and 28, and won the match 9-2 on aggregate (2-5 away and 4-0 home). Having then gotten through the Group Stage, they drew German club [[SV Werder Bremen|Werder Bremen]] in the Round of 32. In the first leg in Germany, Ajax lost 3-0. On the return leg in Amsterdam, they rallied for two second half goals to win 3-1, but lost 4-3 in aggregate.

In the [[Eredivisie 2006/2007|2006-07 season]] Ajax also achieved some successes with Henk ten Cate in charge. They won the [[Johan Cruijff-schaal|Johan Cruijff Shield]] after a 3-1 win over rivals PSV and they also beat [[AZ (football club)|AZ]] 8-9 on penalties in the [[KNVB Cup 2006-07|Dutch Cup final]] after a 1-1 draw after extra time. Ajax was very close to clinch the Eredivisie title after deducting a 10 point deficit from PSV, but lost it on goal difference on the last matchday to PSV (PSV: 75-25, Ajax 84-35).

In the following 2007-08 season Ajax sold two of the biggest talents, Ryan Babel for 17 million Euros to [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] and Wesley Sneijder for 27 million Euros to [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]]. [[Luis Suárez (Uruguayan footballer)|Luis Suárez]] came from [[FC Groningen]] to replace Ryan Babel. Ajax decided not to buy a replacement for Wesley Sneijder because of the difficulty in finding a similar-position type of player to replace him and also because the deal was finished close to the [[transfer window|transfer deadline]] and Ajax would not rush though any signings.

These events together with [[Edgar Davids]] breaking a leg disrupted the preparation for the qualification games for a [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] place. Opponent [[SK Slavia Praha|Slavia Prague]] won both matches; with a 2-1 scoreline in [[Prague]] and 0-1 victory in [[Amsterdam]]. The failure to clinch a position in the Champions League group stage led to great critism from both the supporters and the media, mainly directed at [[Henk ten Cate]] and the board of directors. A 1-0 victory over [[PSV Eindhoven|PSV]] for the Johan Cruiff Shield could not make up for the loss of a Champions League spot. Despite quite a good start in the competition with a lot of goals from both Luis Suárez and [[Klaas-Jan Huntelaar]], Ajax lost ground again in Europe after not making it to the group phase of the [[UEFA Cup]]; managing a 0-1 win away against [[NK Dinamo Zagreb|Dinamo Zagreb]] but lost the tie in Amsterdam after extra time with the score 2-3 to Dinamo. With these string of European failures, coach Ten Cate has already failed to lead the team to the Champions League group stage for two seasons in a row and no European football at the ArenA for the remainder of the 2007/2008 season. With this result, Ten Cate lost the confidence of the supporters who demanded that the board sack him. A more viable solution came when Chelsea (in the same week) offered Ten Cate the job of assistant manager with a 3-year deal. On Tuesday [[9 October]] Ten Cate left Ajax. [[Adrie Koster]] was selected to helm the squad. On 29 October 2007, captain Jaap Stam announced his immediate retirement from professional football, because of a lack of motivation to continue.

==Youth program==
The club is also particularly famous for its renowned youth program that has introduced many great footballers - Cruijff being the best example. Ajax has also expanded its talent searching program to South Africa with [[Ajax Cape Town FC|Ajax Cape Town]]. Ajax also had a satellite club in the United States under the name [[Ajax Orlando Prospects|Ajax America]], this club filled for bankruptcy. There are some youth players from Ajax Cape Town that have been drafted into the [[Eredivisie]] squad, such as [[Steven Pienaar]] and [[Aaron Mokoena]]. In 1995, the year that they won the [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]], the [[Netherlands national football team|Dutch national team]] was almost entirely composed of Ajax players, with [[goalkeeper]] [[Edwin van der Sar]], players such as [[Michael Reiziger]], [[Frank de Boer]] and [[Danny Blind]] in defense, [[Ronald de Boer]], [[Edgar Davids]] and [[Clarence Seedorf]] in midfield, and [[Patrick Kluivert]] and [[Marc Overmars]] in attack. The team was coached by [[Louis van Gaal]], and also featured foreign stars such as [[Jari Litmanen]], [[Nwankwo Kanu]] and [[Finidi George]]. Its current successes are mostly domestic, notwithstanding some minor successes in the 2002-03 Champions League. Its youth team continues to develop talented individuals like [[Rafael van der Vaart]] (left Ajax in 2005 for [[Hamburg SV]]), [[John Heitinga]], [[Nigel de Jong]] (left Ajax in 2006 for [[Hamburg SV]]), [[Wesley Sneijder]] (left Ajax in 2007 for [[Real Madrid]]), [[Daniël de Ridder]] (left Ajax in 2005 for [[Celta de Vigo]], now playing for [[Birmingham City]]), [[Maarten Stekelenburg]], [[Hedwiges Maduro]], [[Ryan Babel]] (left Ajax in 2007 for [[Liverpool F.C.]]), [[Urby Emanuelson]], [[Thomas Vermaelen]], [[Gregory van der Wiel]] and [[Siem de Jong]]. At the 2006 World Cup, Sneijder, Heitinga, Babel, Maduro and Stekelenburg were included in the national squad, alongside 6 other players from the youth program who played elsewhere; [[Edwin van der Sar]], [[Khalid Boulahrouz]], [[Denny Landzaat]], [[Andre Ooijer]], [[Tim de Cler]] and Rafael van der Vaart.

==Rivalry==
Although Ajax have been vying for the championship with [[PSV Eindhoven|PSV]] in recent years, its main traditional rivalry is with [[Feyenoord]] from [[Rotterdam]], culminating every year in the "[[Klassieker]]". It is a match between the two largest cities of the Netherlands, which are both quite distinct from each other.
Amsterdam is a historic, touristic as well as a business city (the 6th most important in Europe) and it is the (financial) capital of the country. Furthermore the city identifies itself with artists, creativity and sophistication. Whilst Rotterdam hosts the biggest port of Europe and thus identifies itself with hard, no-nonsense, industrial labour.
There have been many violent clashes between the supporters of both clubs, of which the [[Beverwijk]] fight in 1997 was the most infamous, resulting in the murder of Ajax supporter Carlo Picornie.
Ajax is historically both the most successful and the most popular club in The Netherlands. At the same time Ajax is also the most hated club by supporters of other clubs. Its historic success and with that its attitude, which is often seen as arrogant, contribute to that negative stance towards Ajax. Not only Feyenoord from Rotterdam but also fans of [[FC Utrecht]] and [[ADO Den Haag]] regard Ajax as their main rival.

==Satellite clubs==
The following clubs are affiliated with AFC Ajax:
* {{flagicon|China}} [[Beijing Guoan FC]]
* {{flagicon|South Africa}} [[Ajax Cape Town FC|Ajax Cape Town]]
* {{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[HFC Haarlem]]
* {{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[FC Omniworld]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ajax-usa.com/news/2004-2005/ajax-agree-technical-partnership-with-fc-omniworld.html | title=Ajax agree technical partnership with FC Omniworld | work=AJAX-USA.com | accessdate=2006-12-14 }}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[FC Volendam]]

==Logo==
In 1900, when the club was founded, the emblem of Ajax was just a picture of an Ajax player. In 1928, the club logo was introduced with the head of the Greek hero [[Ajax (mythology)|Ajax]]. The logo was once again changed in 1990, making the old one more abstract. It should also be noted that the portrait of Ajax on the logo is drawn with eleven lines, symbolising the eleven players of a football team. <ref>[http://www.xs4all.nl/~michielh/hetlogo.html History of the Ajax logo]</ref>

==Colours==
Ajax originally played in an all black uniform with a red sash tied around the players' waists, but that uniform was soon replaced by a red/white striped shirt and black shorts. Red, black and white are the three colors of the flag of [[Amsterdam]]. However, when, under manager [[Jack Kirwan]], the club got promoted to the top flight of Dutch football for the first time in 1911 (then the ''Eerste Klasse'' or 'First Class', later named the [[Eredivisie]]), Ajax were forced to change their colors because [[Sparta Rotterdam]] already had the exact same outfit. Special kits for away fixtures did not exist at the time and according to football association regulations the newcomers had to change their colors if two teams in the same league had identical uniforms. Ajax opted for white shorts and white shirt with a broad, vertical red stripe over chest and back, which still is Ajax's outfit.
Ajax's shirts have been [[sponsor]]ed by [[ABN AMRO]] since 1991, the current sponsorship contract is going to run through the end of the 2007-08 season. Next season [[AEGON]] will replace ABN AMRO as the new head sponsor and is going to take the prominent place on the official match kits of all Ajax teams. This sponsorship deal between Ajax and AEGON has been laid down for a period of 7 years.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://english.ajax.nl/web/show/id=154814/contentid=64367 | title=AEGON new head sponsor AFC Ajax | work=Ajax.nl | accessdate=2007-10-17 }}</ref> The shirts have been manufactured by [[Adidas]] since 2000 (until at least 2009); before that [[Umbro]] (1989-2000) was manufacturing clothing for the team.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ajax-usa.com/news/02-03/contract-with-kit-sponsor-adidas.html | title=Contract with kit sponsor Adidas extended until summer 2009 | work=AJAX-USA.com | accessdate=2006-12-10 }}</ref> On the April 1 2007, Ajax wore a different sponsor for the match against [[Heracles Almelo]]: ''Florius''. Florius is a banking program just launched by [[ABN AMRO]] who wanted it to be the shirt sponsor for one match.

==Stadium==
{{main|Amsterdam ArenA}}
[[Image:Amsterdam ArenA.JPG|thumb|[[Amsterdam ArenA]]]]
[[Image:Football stadium.jpg|thumb|Exterior of Stadium]]
Ajax' first stadium was built in 1911 out of wood and was simply called The Stadium. Ajax later played in the stadium that was built for the [[1928 Summer Olympics]], held in Amsterdam. This stadium, designed by [[Jan Wils]], is known as the [[Olympisch Stadion (Amsterdam)|Olympic Stadium]]. In 1934, Ajax moved to [[De Meer Stadion]] in east Amsterdam, where they would play until 1996. During big European and national fixtures the club would often play at the Olympic Stadium, where the capacity was about twice as high.

In 1996, Ajax moved to a new home ground in the southeast of the city known as the [[Amsterdam ArenA]] that was built at the cost of $134 million. The stadium is capable of holding approximately 52,000 people. The average attendance in 2006/07 was 48,610 people. The Arena has a retractable roof and was the example for other modern stadiums built in Europe in the following years. In the Netherlands, the Arena had earned a reputation for having a terrible grass pitch caused by the removable roof that, even when open, takes away too much sunlight and ventilation from the ground, and by the [[NFL Europa]]'s [[Amsterdam Admirals]] who played their home games on it.

The much loved De Meer stadium was torn down and the land was sold to the city council.

==Supporters==
===References to Judaism===
The Ajax fans have developed the tradition of using [[Jew]]ish and [[Israel]]i symbols to express their allegiance, despite being almost entirely non Jewish in their composition. Regularly, the supporters wave large [[Star of David]] flags and scream ''Joden! Joden!'' ("Jews! Jews!") to fire up their team. Die-hard Ajax supporters call themselves "F-Siders" or "Joden" &mdash; Dutch for "Jews" &mdash; a nickname that reflects both the team's and the city's Jewish heritage. This nickname for Ajax fans dates back to before World War II, when Amsterdam was home to most of the Netherlands' 140,000 Jews and the Ajax stadium itself was located near a Jewish neighborhood. Most Dutch Jews were murdered by the Nazis during the occupation, and today very little remains of Amsterdam's old Jewish quarter. But the tradition at Ajax survived. Ajax currently has no Jewish players, the last player with any Jewish roots being [[Daniël de Ridder]].

More recently, the issue has become a significant social problem in that in an increasingly bizarre and racist way, opposing supporters specifically use [[antisemitism]] to express their antipathy towards Ajax. This is expressed in chants such as ''[[Hamas]], Hamas, Jews into the [[Gas chamber|gas]]'' (Hamas, hamas, joden aan het gas) or producing hissing sounds that imitate the flow of gas. This in turn does not withhold the 'Jewish' Ajax supporters from celebrating the [[Rotterdam Blitz|Bombing of Rotterdam]] by [[Nazi Germany]] when facing [[Feyenoord]] with songs like ''When spring comes we will throw bombs on Rotterdam!'' (Als de lente komt dan gooien wij bommen op Rotterdam). Songs like this (using the melody of ´Tulips from Amsterdam´) were sung from the stage, i.e. organised, at the celebration of the winning of the Dutch Cup in 2006.

However, hardcore Ajax fans, although almost entirely gentiles, are proud of their 'outsider' image as "Jews" and feel encouraged to display more Jewish / Israeli symbols at matches, using them as a "badge of battle".

Those Ajax fans who are actually Jewish are split on the morality of this matter; some feel it is perversely flattering but many others feel it is disrespectful and racist for non Jews to act in such a way that encourages antisemitic abuse. Dutch authorities have tried to tone down the Jewish symbols of support for Ajax, hoping to lead to a decrease of antisemitic counter-incidents. However, the head of the European Board of Jewish Deputies has signalled his support for the F-siders, stating that antisemitism in Europe would be generally lessened if more non-Jews so readily identified with Jewish culture. The mayor of Amsterdam, [[Job Cohen]], is also Jewish himself and has not condemned the Ajax fans.

However club chairman John Jaakke has asked the club to distance its self from the 'supposed' Jewish identity:

"Ajax is being presented as a 'Jewish club' and some of our supporters have taken to calling themselves 'Jews' as an honorary nickname. I want to state for the record that Ajax wants to shed this image and will do what is necessary to achieve this," [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article411271.ece]

'''Related Trivia'''

A similar situation exists at English [[Premier League]] club [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]], which also has a reputation for having a large Jewish following, where supporters proudly call themselves [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.#Support|Yids]] to diffuse its use as antisemitic provocation by opposition fans.

In the [[Australia]]n south eastern state of [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], there exists the Ajax Amateur Football Club, which is a Jewish [[Australian rules football]] club, in that the vast majority of administrators and players are Jewish, and the club has a ''Magen David'' (Star of David) on its uniform. Their playing colours are also the same as AFC Ajax.

Another team with a Jewish connection is [[Poland]]'s [[Cracovia Kraków]]. Fans of the team were even active in protecting Polish Jews during the [[Nazi]] occupation of the country.

==Players and managers==
===Current squad===
''As of [[October 30]], [[2007]].
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs player|no=1|nat=Netherlands|name=[[Maarten Stekelenburg]]|pos=GK}}
{{Fs player|no=2|nat=Netherlands|name=[[John Heitinga]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=4|nat=Belgium|name=[[Thomas Vermaelen]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=5|nat=Netherlands|name=[[Urby Emanuelson]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=6|nat=Netherlands|name=[[Hedwiges Maduro]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=7|nat=Sweden|name=[[Kennedy Bakircioglü]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=8|nat=Spain|name=[[Ismael Urzaiz]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=9|nat=Netherlands|name=[[Klaas-Jan Huntelaar]]|pos=FW|other=[[Vice-captain (football)|vice-captain]]}}
{{Fs player|no=10|nat=Spain|name=[[Albert Luque]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=11|nat=Brazil|name=[[Leonardo Santiago|Leonardo]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=12|nat=Netherlands|name=[[Erik Heijblok]]|pos=GK}}
{{Fs player|no=13|nat=Netherlands|name=[[Edgar Davids]]|pos=MF|other=[[Captain (football)|captain]]}}
{{Fs player|no=15|nat=Belgium|name=[[Laurent Delorge]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=16|nat=Uruguay|name=[[Luis Suárez (Uruguayan footballer)|Luis Suárez]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=17|nat=Belgium|name=[[Jan Vertonghen]]|pos=MF}}
{{fs mid}}
{{Fs player|no=18|nat=Spain|name=[[Gabriel García de la Torre|Gabri]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=19|nat=Denmark|name=[[Dennis Rommedahl]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=20|nat=Romania|name=[[George Ogăraru]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=21|nat=Armenia|name=[[Edgar Manucharyan]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=22|nat=Netherlands|name=[[Robbert Schilder]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=23|nat=Romania|name=[[Nicolae Mitea]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=24|nat=Netherlands|name=[[Mitchell Donald]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=25|nat=Netherlands|name=[[Gregory van der Wiel]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=26|nat=Netherlands|name=[[Jeffrey Sarpong]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=27|nat=Netherlands|name=[[Vurnon Anita]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=28|nat=Denmark|name=[[Michael Krohn-Dehli]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=29|nat=Denmark|name=[[Kenneth Perez]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=30|nat=Netherlands|name=[[Dennis Gentenaar]]|pos=GK}}
{{Fs player|no=31|nat=Netherlands|name=[[Jurgen Colin]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=37|nat=Netherlands|name=[[Jan-Arie van der Heijden]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=38|nat=Netherlands|name=[[Siem de Jong]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs end}}

===Reserve & youth squad===
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs player|no=32|nat=Netherlands|name=[[Marco van Duin]]|pos=GK}}
{{Fs player|no=33|nat=Netherlands|name=[[Donovan Slijngard]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=34|nat=Netherlands|name=[[John Goossens]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=35|nat=Netherlands|name=[[Javier Martina]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=39|nat=Netherlands|name=[[Vito Wormgoor]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs end}}

===Out on loan===
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs player|no=––|nat=Netherlands|name=[[Rydell Poepon]]|pos=FW|other=on loan to [[Willem II Tilburg|Willem II]]}}
{{Fs player|no=––|nat=Netherlands|name=[[Kenneth Vermeer]]|pos=GK|other=on loan to [[Willem II Tilburg|Willem II]]}}
{{Fs end}}

===Notable Ajax players===
====Notable professional Ajax players (1954-present)====
{{col-begin-small}}
{{col-4}}
'''Netherlands'''
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Wim Anderiesen (jr.)]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Ryan Babel]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Gert Bals]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Marco van Basten]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Dennis Bergkamp]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Wim Bleyenberg]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Danny Blind]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Frank de Boer]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Ronald de Boer]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Peter Boeve]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Winston Bogarde]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[John Bosman]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Willy Brokamp]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[John van den Brom]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Johan Cruijff]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Lloyd Doesburg]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Pim van Dord]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Dick van Dijk]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Gerard van Dijk]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Theo van Duivenbode]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Johnny Dusbaba]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Jan Everse]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Ruud Geels]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Eddy Pieters Graafland]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Cees Groot]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Henk Groot]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Arie Haan]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Peter Hoekstra]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Bertus Hoogerman]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Barry Hulshoff]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Wim Jansen]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Nigel de Jong]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Wim Jonk]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Piet Keizer]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Wim Kieft]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Patrick Kluivert]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Ronald Koeman]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Michel Kreek]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Ruud Krol]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Piet van der Kuil]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Tscheu La Ling]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Denny Landzaat]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[John van Loen]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Hennie Meijer]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Stanley Menzo]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Wim Meutstege]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Andy van der Meyde]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Rinus Michels]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Keje Molenaar]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Ger van Mourik]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Arnold Mühren]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Gerrie Mühren]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Jan Mulder (footballer)|Jan Mulder]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Ben Muller]]

{{col-4}}
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Johan Neeskens]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[René Notten]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Klaas Nuninga]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Edo Ophof]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Piet Ouderland]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Marc Overmars]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Peet Petersen]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Co Prins]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Ton Pronk]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Michael Reiziger]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Johnny Rep]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Martijn Reuser]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Frank Rijkaard]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Nico Rijnders]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Bryan Roy]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Edwin van der Sar]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Werner Schaaphok]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[John van 't Schip]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Dick Schoenaker]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Arnold Scholten]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Piet Schrijvers]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Clarence Seedorf]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Sonny Silooy]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Wesley Sneijder]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Frits Soetekouw]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Ronald Spelbos]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Jaap Stam]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Heinz Stuy]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Wim Suurbier]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Sjaak Swart]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Simon Tahamata]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Rafael van der Vaart]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Gerald Vanenburg]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[John Veldman]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Frank Verlaat]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Ferdi Vierklau]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Marciano Vink]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Peter van Vossen]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Aron Winter]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Rob de Wit]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Richard Witschge]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Rob Witschge]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Jan Wouters]]

'''Australia'''
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Michael Petersen]]

'''Austria'''
*{{flagicon|Austria}} [[Felix Gasselich]]
*{{flagicon|Austria}} [[Heinz Schilcher]]

'''Argentina'''
*{{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Mauro Rosales]]

{{col-4}}

'''Belgium'''
*{{flagicon|Belgium}} [[Jelle van Damme]]
*{{flagicon|Belgium}} [[Walter Meeuws]]
*{{flagicon|Belgium}} [[Tom de Mul]]
*{{flagicon|Belgium}} [[Tom Soetaers]]
*{{flagicon|Belgium}} [[Wesley Sonck]]

'''Brazil'''
*{{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Maxwell Cabelino Andrade|Maxwell]]
*{{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Márcio Roberto dos Santos|Márcio Santos]]
*{{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Wamberto de Jesus Sousa Campos|Wamberto]]

'''Croatia'''
*{{flagicon|CRO}} [[Božo Broketa]]
*{{flagicon|CRO}} [[Joey Didulica]]

'''Czech Republic'''
*{{flagicon|Czech Republic}} [[Tomáš Galásek]]
*{{flagicon|Czech Republic}} [[Zdeněk Grygera]]

'''Denmark'''
*{{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Frank Arnesen]]
*{{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Jesper Grønkjær]]
*{{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Johnny Hansen]]
*{{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Henning Jensen]]
*{{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Brian Laudrup]]
*{{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Michael Laudrup]]
*{{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Søren Lerby]]
*{{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Jan Mølby]]
*{{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Jesper Olsen]]
*{{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Dan Petersen]]
*{{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Tom Søndergaard]]
*{{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Jan Sørensen]]
*{{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Ole Tobiasen]]
*{{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Steen Ziegler]]

'''England'''
*{{flagicon|England}} [[Ray Clarke]] (1978-79)
*{{flagicon|England}} [[Ally Dick]]

'''Egypt'''
*{{flagicon|Egypt}} [[Mido (footballer)|Mido]]

'''Finland'''
*{{flagicon|Finland}} [[Jari Litmanen]]
*{{flagicon|Finland}} [[Petri Pasanen]]
*{{flagicon|Finland}} [[Petri Tiainen]]

'''France'''
*{{flagicon|France}} [[Julien Escudé]]

'''Ghana'''
*{{flagicon|Ghana}} [[Abubakari Yakubu]]

'''Georgia'''
*{{flagicon|Georgia}} [[Shota Arveladze]]
*{{flagicon|Georgia}} [[Georgiou Kinkladze]]

'''Germany'''
*{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Horst Blankenburg]]
*{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Arno Steffenhagen]]

{{col-4}}

'''Greece'''
*{{flagicon|Greece}} [[Nikos Machlas]]
*{{flagicon|Greece}} [[Angelos Charisteas]]
*{{flagicon|Greece}} [[Yannis Anastasiou]]

'''Hungary'''
*{{flagicon|Hungary}} [[Pál Fischer]]
*{{flagicon|Hungary}} [[Zoltán Varga (footballer)|Zoltán Varga]]

'''Tunisia'''
*{{flagicon|Tunisia}} [[Hatem Trabelsi]]

'''Turkey'''
*{{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Mustafa Yücedağ]]

'''Ireland'''
*{{flagicon|Ireland}} [[Frank Stapleton]]

'''Morocco'''
*{{flagicon|Morocco}} [[Nourdin Boukhari]]

'''Nigeria'''
*{{flagicon|Nigeria}} [[Tijjani Babangida]]
*{{flagicon|Nigeria}} [[Finidi George]]
*{{flagicon|Nigeria}} [[Pius Ikedia]]
*{{flagicon|Nigeria}} [[Christopher Kanu]]
*{{flagicon|Nigeria}} [[Nwankwo Kanu]]
*{{flagicon|Nigeria}} [[Sunday Oliseh]]

'''Norway'''
*{{flagicon|Norway}} [[André Bergdølmo]]

'''Portugal'''
*{{flagicon|Portugal}} [[Daniel da Cruz Carvalho|Dani]]

'''Romania'''
*{{flagicon|Romania}} [[Cristian Chivu]]
*{{flagicon|Romania}} [[Bogdan Lobonţ]]

'''Serbia'''
*{{flagicon|Serbia}} [[Velibor Vasović]]

'''South Africa'''
*{{flagicon|South Africa}} [[Benni McCarthy]]
*{{flagicon|South Africa}} [[Aaron Mokoena]]
*{{flagicon|South Africa}} [[Steven Pienaar]]
*{{flagicon|South Africa}} [[Hans Vonk (footballer)|Hans Vonk]]

'''Spain'''
*{{flagicon|Spain}} [[Juan Francisco García|Juanfran]]
*{{flagicon|Spain}} [[Roger Garcia|Roger]]
*{{flagicon|Spain}} [[Gabriel García de la Torre|Gabri]]

'''Sweden'''
*{{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Inge Danielsson]]
*{{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Zlatan Ibrahimović]]
*{{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Peter Larsson (footballer)|Peter Larsson]]
*{{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Stefan Pettersson (footballer)|Stefan Pettersson]]
*{{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Markus Rosenberg]]

'''United States'''
*{{flagicon|United States}} [[John O'Brien (soccer)|John O'Brien]]
{{col-end}}

====Notable non-professional Ajax players (1900-1954)====
{{col-begin-small}}
{{col-4}}
'''Netherlands'''
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Henk Anderiesen]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Wim Anderiesen|Wim Anderiesen (sr.)]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Henk Blomvliet]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Jan de Boer (footballer)|Jan de Boer]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Theo Brokmann (sr.)]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Theo Brokmann (jr.)]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Frans Couton]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Piet van Deyck]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Jan van Diepenbeek]]
{{col-4}}
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Jan van Dort]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Guus Dräger]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Gerrit Fischer]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Cor van der Hart]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Jan Hassink]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Bob ten Have]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Henk Hordijk]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Dolf van Kol]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Gerrit Keizer]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Ko Loois]]

{{col-4}}
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Joop Martens]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Henk Mulders]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Jan de Natris]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Fons Pelser]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Joop Pelser]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Jan Potharst]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Piet van Reenen]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Jan Schubert]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Jan Schindeler]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Joop Stoffelen]]

{{col-4}}
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Piet Strijbosch]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Henk Twelker]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Jany van der Veen]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Wim Volkers]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Erwin van Wijngaarden]]

'''United States'''
*{{flagicon|United States}} [[Eddy Hamel]]
{{col-end}}

===List of Ajax managers===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-3}}
* {{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Adrie Koster]] (2007-present)
* {{Flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Henk ten Cate]] (2006-2007)
* {{Flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Danny Blind]] (2005-2006)
* {{Flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Ruud Krol]] (interim, 2005)
* {{Flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Ronald Koeman]] (2001-2005)
* {{Flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Co Adriaanse]] (2000-2001)
* {{Flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Hans Westerhof]] (interim, 2000)
* {{Flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Jan Wouters]] (1999-2000)
* {{Flagicon|Denmark}} [[Morten Olsen]] (1997-1999)
* {{Flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Louis van Gaal]] (1991-1997)
* {{Flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Leo Beenhakker]] (1989-1991)
* {{Flagicon|Luxembourg}} [[Spitz Kohn]] et al (interim 1988-1989)
* {{Flagicon|Germany}} [[Kurt Linder]] (1988)
* {{Flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Johan Cruijff]] (1985-1988)
* {{Flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Aad de Mos]] (1982-1985)
* {{Flagicon|Germany}} [[Kurt Linder]] (1981-1982)
{{col-3}}
* {{Flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Leo Beenhakker]] (1979-1981)
* {{Flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Cor Brom]] (1978-1979)
* {{Flagicon|Croatia}} [[Tomislav Ivić]] (1976-1978)
* {{Flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Rinus Michels]] (1975-1976)
* {{Flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Hans Kraay]] (1974-1975)
* {{Flagicon|Netherlands}} [[George Knobel]] (1973-1974)
* {{Flagicon|Romania}} [[Stefan Kovacs]] (1971-1973)
* {{Flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Rinus Michels]] (1965-1971)
* {{Flagicon|England}} [[Vic Buckingham]] (1964-1965)
* {{Flagicon|England}} [[Jack Rowley]] (1963-1964)
* {{Flagicon|England}} [[Joseph Gruber]] (1962-1963)
* {{Flagicon|England}} [[Keith Spurgeon]] (1961-1962)
* {{Flagicon|England}} [[Vic Buckingham]] (1959-1961)
* {{Flagicon|Austria}} [[Karl Humenberger]] (1954-1959)
{{col-3}}
* {{Flagicon|England}} [[Walter Crook]] (1953-1954)
* {{Flagicon|England}} [[Robert Thomson (footballer)|Robert Thomson]] (1950-1953)
* {{Flagicon|England}} [[Walter Crook]] (1948-1950)
* {{Flagicon|England}} [[Robert Smith (manager)|Robert Smith]] (1947-1948)
* {{Flagicon|England}} [[Jack Reynolds (1881-1962)|Jack Reynolds]] (1942-1947)
* {{Flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Dolf van Kol]] (1942-1942)
* {{Flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Wim Volkers]] (1941-1942)
* {{Flagicon|England}} [[Vilmos Halpern]] (1940-1941)
* {{Flagicon|England}} [[Jack Reynolds (1881-1962)|Jack Reynolds]] (1928-1940)
* {{Flagicon|England}} [[Stanley Castle]] (1926-1928)
* {{Flagicon|England}} [[Harold Rose]] (1925-1926)
* {{Flagicon|England}} [[Jack Reynolds (1881-1962)|Jack Reynolds]] (1915-1925)
* {{Flagicon|Ireland}} [[Jack Kirwan]] (1910-1915)
{{col-end}}

===Number 14===

As of the following season (2007-08), no player will wear the number 14 shirt at Ajax, since the club decided to retire the shirt in respect to legend, [[Johan Cruijff]], who presented his number for his 60th Birthday, though Cruijff said that it would be better if the best player of the team would wear number 14. Spanish midfielder [[Roger García Junyent|Roger]] was the last player to wear the number. <ref>{{cite web |url= http://english.ajax.nl/web/show/id=154814/contentid=62523|title= Ajax retire number 14|accessdate= 2007-04-18|publisher = Ajax.nl}}</ref>

==Honours==
===Official trophies (recognized by [[UEFA]] and [[FIFA]])===
====National====
*{{sport honours|[[Eredivisie]]|29|1917-18, 1918-19, 1930-31, 1931-32, 1933-34, 1936-37, 1938-39, 1946-47, 1956-57, 1959-60, 1965-66, 1966-67, 1967-68, 1969-70, 1971-72, 1972-73, 1976-77, 1978-79, 1979-80, 1981-82, 1982-83, 1984-85, 1989-90, 1993-94, 1994-95, 1995-96, 1997-98, 2001-02, 2003-04}}
*{{sport honours|[[KNVB Cup]]|17|1917, 1943, 1961, 1967, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1979, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2002, [[KNVB Cup 2005-06|2006]], [[KNVB Cup 2006-07|2007]]}}
*{{sport honours|KNVB Cup runner-up|5|1900, 1968, 1978, 1980, 1981}}
*{{sport honours|[[Johan Cruijff-schaal|Johan Cruijff Shield]]|7|1993, 1994, 1995, 2002, [[Johan Cruijff-schaal X|2005]], [[Johan Cruijff-schaal XI|2006]], [[Johan Cruijff-schaal XII|2007]]}}
*{{sport honours|Johan Cruijff Shield runners-up|4|1996, 1998, 1999, 2004}}

====International====
*{{sport honours|[[Intercontinental Cup (football)|Intercontinental Cup]]|2|1972, 1995 }} <ref name="uefa">[http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/club=50143/domestic.html Football Europe: AFC Ajax]; uefa.com</ref>
*{{sport honours|[[UEFA Champions League|European Champion Club's Cup / Champions League]]|4|1971, 1972, 1973, 1995}} <ref name="uefa" />
*{{sport honours|European Champion Club's Cup / Champions League runners-up|2|1969, 1996}} <ref name="uefa" />
*{{sport honours|[[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup|European Cup Winners' Cup]]|1|1987}} <ref name="uefa" />
*{{sport honours|European Cup Winners' Cup runners-up|1|1988}} <ref name="uefa" />
*{{sport honours|[[UEFA Cup]]|1|1992}} <ref name="uefa" />
*{{sport honours|[[UEFA Super Cup]]|2|1973, 1995}} <ref name=Supercup>UEFA sanctioned the UEFA Supercup for the first time in 1973. In 1972 was a unofficial edition and the I Centenary of [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers FC]] (see [http://www.uefa.com/competitions/supercup/history/index.html History of the UEFA Supercup] in uefa.com).</ref>
*{{sport honours|UEFA Super Cup runners-up|1|1988}} <ref name=Supercup />

===Other trophies===
*{{sport honours|[[Rangers F.C.|Rangers FC]] First Centenary 1872-1972|1|1972}} <ref name=Supercup/>
*{{sport honours|[[UEFA Intertoto Cup]]|1|1962}} <ref name=Intertoto/>
*{{sport honours|[[Trofeo Santiago Bernabéu]]|1|1992}}
*{{sport honours|Trofeo Santiago Bernabéu runners-up|2|1979, 1995}}

{{start box}}
{{succession box | before = [[Feyenoord]] | title = [[UEFA Champions League|European Cup]] | years = [[European Cup 1970-71|1971]], [[European Cup 1971-72|1972]], [[European Cup 1972-73|1973]] <br> Runners-up:<br>[[Panathinaikos FC]], [[F.C. Internazionale Milano|Internazionale Milano]], [[Juventus F.C.|Juventus]] | after = [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]]}}
{{succession box | before = [[A.C. Milan]] | title = [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] | years = [[UEFA Champions League 1994-95|1995]] <br> Runner up: [[A.C. Milan]] | after = [[Juventus F.C.|Juventus]]}}
{{succession box | before = [[FC Dynamo Kyiv|Dinamo Kiev]] | title = [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup|UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Winner]] | years = [[1987]] <br> Runner up: [[Lokomotive Leipzig]]| after = [[Y.R. K.V. Mechelen|KV Mechelen]]}}
{{succession box | before = [[F.C. Internazionale Milano|Internazionale Milano]] | title = [[UEFA Cup]] | years = [[UEFA Cup 1991-92|1992]] <br> Runner up: [[Torino F.C.|Torino]] | after = [[Juventus F.C.|Juventus]]}}
{{end box}}

==See also==
*[[List of football clubs in the Netherlands|Dutch football league teams]]

==References==
<div class="references-small">
<references/>
</div>

==Bibliography==
*{{nl icon}} [[David Endt]], ''De godenzonen van Ajax'', Rap, Amsterdam, 1993, ISBN 90-6005-463-6
*{{nl icon}} [[Jan Baltus Kok]], ''Naar Ajax. Mobiliteitspatronen van bezoekers bij vier thuiswedstrijden van Ajax'', [[University of Amsterdam]], Amsterdam, 1992, [[ISSN]] 0922-5625
*[[Simon Kuper]], ''Ajax, The Dutch, The War. Football in Europe during the Second World War'', Orion, London (Translation of: Ajax, de Joden en Nederland ("Ajax, the Jews, The Netherlands)" <ref>[http://www.hardgras.nl/?s1=13022245391705092597&s2=&cntID=72#77]</ref>, 2003, ISBN 0-7528-4274-9
*{{nl icon}} [[Evert Vermeer]], ''95 jaar Ajax. 1900-1995'', Luitingh-Sijthoff, Amsterdam, 1996, ISBN 90-245-2364-8

==External links==
{{Commons2|Ajax Amsterdam}}
;Official
*[http://www.ajax.nl/ Ajax.nl - Official website of AFC Ajax] {{nl icon}} / {{en icon}}

;Unofficial
* [http://www.ajaxfotoside.nl/ Ajax Foto Side - Photo fansite of AFC Ajax] {{nl icon}}
* [http://www.ajaxfanz.nl/ Ajaxfanz - Popular fansite of AFC Ajax] {{nl icon}}
* [http://www.ajaxlive.nl/ Ajax Live - Dutch fansite of Ajax] {{nl icon}}
* [http://www.ajax-usa.com/ Ajax USA - American fansite of AFC Ajax] {{en icon}}
* [http://www.ajaxsupporters.com/ Ajaxsupporters.com - German fansite of AFC Ajax] {{de icon}}
* [http://www.ajaxfr.com/ Ajax Fr - French supporters site of AFC Ajax] {{fr icon}}
* [http://www.ajaxenfrance.com/ Ajax en France - French fansite of AFC Ajax] {{fr icon}}
* [http://www.ajaxpoland.com/ Ajax Poland - Polish Ajax fansite] {{pl icon}}
* [http://www.superajax.com/ Superajax.com - Russian fansite of AFC Ajax] {{ru icon}}
* [http://www.ajaxportal.com/ Ajax Portal] {{hu icon}}
* [http://www.ajax-zone.nl/ Ajax-Zone] {{nl icon}}
* [http://www.newsworld.nl/nieuws/ajax/ Newsworld] {{nl icon}}
* [http://www.football-lineups.com/games/?campaign=17.109 Football-Lineups.com - Ajax tactics and lineups] {{en icon}}


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[[Category:Dutch football clubs|Ajax]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the Euronext exchanges]]
[[Category:Companies of the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Football (soccer) clubs established in 1900]]
[[Category:G-14 clubs]]
[[Category:AFC Ajax| ]]

[[ar:أياكس أمستردام]]
[[bg:Аякс Амстердам]]
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[[el:Άγιαξ]]
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[[lt:AFC Ajax]]
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[[nl:AFC Ajax]]
[[nds-nl:Ajax Amsterdam]]
[[ja:アヤックス・アムステルダム]]
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[[pt:Amsterdamsche Football Club Ajax]]
[[ro:Ajax Amsterdam]]
[[ru:Аякс (футбольный клуб, Амстердам)]]
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[[sr:ФК Ајакс]]
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[[zh:阿贾克斯足球俱乐部]]