The Rise and Disbandment of 2019 Ajax: A Golden Generation That Captivated Europe

Recalling the 2019 Ajax squad, they were heralded as the finest since Louis van Gaal's side that secured the Champions League in the mid-90s. That legendary team boasted the likes of the de Boer brothers, Kluivert, Overmars, Seedorf, and Davids, among others.

The echoes of those legendary players seemed to inspire the new generation, including de Jong, de Ligt, van de Beek, Ziyech, and Onana. Under the guidance of the rising star Erik ten Hag, Ajax's football was among the most impressive in Europe during the 2018-19 campaign. Nationally, they achieved a domestic double, triumphing in both the league and cup competitions. In Europe, their Champions League performances were remarkable, highlighted by a 4-1 victory over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu and a win against Juventus in Turin. Their campaign concluded in the semi-finals with a narrow loss to Tottenham on away goals. As is customary, Europe's elite clubs sought out Ajax's standout players, paying substantial fees to secure their services. De Jong moved to Barcelona for £65m, de Ligt joined Juventus for £75m, and ten Hag was later recruited to reinvigorate Manchester United. However, the disbandment of that team marked the beginning of a challenging period for the young talents and their coach. So, what led to their fortunes taking a turn for the worse? The Young Stars Contrary to the adage that 'you can't win with kids,' this Ajax team defied expectations, sweeping aside most opposition. Supported by Daley Blind in defense, who had struggled in the Premier League, the team had a youthful exuberance. De Ligt, winner of the 2018 Golden Boy award, became the first defender to claim the honor. De Jong, with his confidence on the ball, controlled the midfield and dictated the team's pace. Staggering statistics from that period showed De Jong completing 354 of 390 passes and making 53 recoveries. This led former Dutch international Rafael van der Vaart to label De Jong the best player in Europe in possession of the ball. Goalkeeper Onana, a product of Ajax's academy, emulated Edwin van der Sar with his goalkeeping skills and distribution. Van de Beek, in the playmaker role, drew comparisons to Dennis Bergkamp for his performances. Moroccan Ziyech provided a threat on the wing, scoring 22 goals across all competitions during his breakout season. Together with Dusan Tadic, they scored a prolific 119 goals in 34 league games, including the four that rocked the Bernabeu. The Manager Ten Hag, influenced by Johan Cruyff's Ajax and Barcelona, and having studied under Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich, led the team with a deep respect for the game's history.