JAKARTA - Ajax's manager, Francesco Farioli, said he had no regrets even though his team finished runner-up in the 2024/2025 Eredivisie which was one of the biggest title failures in history.
Ajax ended their winless streak with a 2-0 home win against FC Twenty on Sunday, May 18, 2025. However, that result was not enough to stop their rival, PSV Eindhoven, who won 3-1 against Sparta Rotterdam and eventually won the Eredivisie.
The result made Ajax set an unwanted record in European football history - never a team that failed to win the league when they had a nine-point lead with five games remaining.
Farioli also looked emotional afterwards in a post-match press conference and had to stop several times to calm down as he tried to understand the contrasting emotions about how this season took place.
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"This is a very difficult lesson to learn and that's how it is. I have no regrets."
"I was good at seeing the storm before it came, it was one of my main qualities. I always avoided talking about something long before it happened. I know who we are," said Farioli.
Farioli arrived at Ajax in June 2024 and took over the team after they finished fifth in the 2023/2024 season. They are clearly favorite to secure the 37th Eredivisie title with that big lead towards the last five games of the season.
However, in fact they only won two points from the next four matches, which allowed PSV to take over the top of the standings.
"Let's start congratulating PSV. They really deserve to be where we are, where they are now."
"We are trying our best to compete. We are giving everything we can. I am very grateful to this group of players that made us dream."
"A eleven months ago, the walls were white and had little life. We asked to repaint and be given some color there."
"Today it's hard to understand what's inside, but in a few weeks everything will become a little more clear," said Farioli.
Farioli will not commit to his future in Ajax. His contract remains two years, but has been linked to work in Serie A.
"Today is about this group of players (Ajax). There will be no discussion about anything taking over," Farioli said when asked about his future.
Farioli said he was proud of the players because they finished second at Eredivisie 2024/2025 and pushed PSV so close.
However, the atmosphere of the dressing room is full of sadness.
"Emotion, a lot of emotion, as you can imagine. There is sadness and it gives a perspective on what we've done."
"A eleven months ago, when we held our first press conference to feel that we could arrive in the last game of the season and compete with a team that is 30 points ahead of us, that would be great."
"If we watch with a clear mind, it's been a great season. A year ago, Ajax had some difficulties and today this group of players has restored confidence," Farioli said again.
Farioli looked emotional as he walked around the Johan Cruyff Arena after the game ended.
He said that it was the emotion of a human being and someone who tried to give everything he had with love and dedication.
"I feel with everyone with me, staff and players, there's nothing more we can give. Today I feel the tank is empty."
"I ask the players to give everything on the pitch. We try everything and sometimes everything is not enough," said the coach.
Ajax and PSV had to fight until the last match of the Eredivisie this season to become champions. They were only one point clear in the standings in the league's final match.
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