Gesprek met Ajax strandt: Jordi Cruijff’s silence stalls O19 plans

In a recent Gesprek with Ajax, 60‑year‑old Gery Vink revealed that after being approached by the Amsterdamse club two months ago, he heard no response from technical director Jordi Cruijff, prompting him to accept the head‑coach role at TEC in Kesteren.

The update was posted today, with timestamps reading ‘Vandaag om 14:11’ and ‘Vandaag om 14:55’. It notes that the conversation with Ajax almost fell through for Gery Vink.

Vink, 60, spent seven years within Ajax’s youth system, coaching several junior sides. He also oversaw Jong Ajax for two seasons.

He told the Gelderlander that Ajax approached him two months ago and asked whether he was open to a return. Vink said a discussion about taking charge of the Onder 19 team took place, but after that Jordi Cruijff, Ajax’s technical director, ceased communication.

Ajax subsequently named Yuri Rose as the trainer of the O19 squad. Rose’s appointment was confirmed after the stalled talks with Vink.

Vink was also offered an assistant‑coach position in the Eredivisie, yet he opted for the head‑coach role at TEC, a club competing in the Derde Divisie. He signed a five‑year contract in Kesteren, stating that TEC best fits his ambitions.

The move leaves Ajax to continue its youth programme under Rose, while Vink looks to shape TEC’s future in the third tier. Both clubs now have clear plans for the coming seasons.