In the first year of his management at Ajax, Michel González tries to take the Dutch club to the top of the Eredivisie, but his performance is marred by communication problems that have generated criticism from former players of the team. The former Girona coach, who arrived at the Dutch club with the ambition of improving his position in the table, has been questioned for his command of the language and the way he directs his players.
Since his arrival at Ajax, González has tried to speak Catalan, something he achieved with some effectiveness at Girona, but in the Netherlands he appears to be further from his goal. After the 2‑1 defeat against Hajduk Split in the Conference League, the coach showed difficulty expressing himself in English, which has led some of his former teammates to comment on his lack of fluency. Frank De Boer, former Ajax player, and Toby Alderweireld, former defender of the Belgian club, were the most vocal in this regard.
Alderweireld, when speaking with Ziggo Sport, expressed his bewilderment: "I wonder how he communicates with his team. In English or in Spanish? Many people don't understand Spanish, they understand English better, but if you speak like that... It's not understood the same, apart from the fact that you have to transmit passion." The former player also pointed out that an interpreter would not be the ideal solution, since communication must be direct and emotional. For his part, De Boer added in a critical tone: “It's embarrassing to sit and listen to him,” underscoring his dissatisfaction with the way the coach communicates with his players.
In addition to the language issue, De Boer also criticized González's decision to introduce Jofre Torrents in the second half of the match against Hajduk Split. The former Ajax player stated: “You put in a left-back who has never played before… I don't want to blame him, because it's not just his fault, but to field that nineteen-year-old boy for the first time in such a hostile environment… Honestly, I would have preferred to see Wijndal.” Criticism points to Torrents' lack of experience and the coach's lack of confidence in his tactical decisions.
Regarding the club's situation, Ajax remains in fifth position in the Eredivisie, reflecting the need for stronger leadership and more effective communication to reach the leadership position. With the pressure of the competition and the expectations of the fans, González's management is under scrutiny. The team's next match will be crucial to assess whether the coach can overcome criticism and consolidate his leadership style at the club.