De Jong, Ziyech and the stars Ten Hag made at Ajax

Karan Tejwani

• Updated: 13 Apr 2022 09:28 CDT
• 6 min read

Erik ten Hag is set to become Manchester United’s next head coach, and there are encouraging signs in terms of players that he may develop.

The Dutch manager has a good track record of improving talent – from both, the academy and players brought in – and the Red Devils will be hoping he can do the same at Old Trafford.

Here are five players he improved at Ajax, making them recognised stars on the European scene.

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The stars Erik ten Hag developed at Ajax

Frenkie de Jong

The crown jewel of Ajax’s incredible 2018-19 side that won the domestic double and reached the Champions League semi-final, Frenkie de Jong benefited greatly from Ten Hag’s coaching.

The midfielder joined Ajax in 2016 – before Ten Hag was around – playing for Jong Ajax (Ajax’s second team) and gradually made his way to the first team.

Although his first few months in the 2018-19 season were often spent playing at centre-half, his talent was clearly in midfield, and he was given the best support to bring that out over the course of the season.

He eventually left Ajax for Barcelona in a record €75 million deal and has been thriving at the Camp Nou under Xavi.

Matthijs de Ligt

Another star from that Ajax team that left at the end of the 2018-19 season in a big-money move, Matthijs de Ligt was always touted for big things, and Ten Hag got the best out of him.

De Ligt made his debut in 2016 as a 16-year-old and became club captain under Ten Hag in March 2018.

The armband stayed with him in the Champions League run as he became one of Europe’s brightest young players, showing his dominance at the back and goalscoring prowess in front, netting against Juventus and Tottenham in the quarter-final and semi-final respectively.

He then moved to Juventus, once again in a €75m deal.

Hakim Ziyech

Hakim Ziyech was keen on leaving Ajax in Ten Hag’s first summer transfer window, but ended up staying after no buyer was found, and the rest was history.

That was in the summer of 2018, and in the season after came the famous Champions League run, which Ziyech was instrumental to, starring in matches against Real Madrid and Tottenham.

Ziyech would end up staying for another season, excelling on the wing and even after the core of the 2019 team left that summer, he would form a fine partnership with Dusan Tadic and David Neres.

The Moroccan eventually left for Chelsea in 2020 in a €40m, having netted 30 goals under Ten Hag over two seasons.

Lisandro Martinez

A part of the “new Ajax” after the 2019 team left, Lisandro Martinez was signed to be Matthijs de Ligt’s replacement and his versatility has been useful.

The Argentine has played in both defence and midfield and has become a mainstay in the Ajax side over the last two seasons, with his impressive performances even earning him an Argentina call-up.

Recently, there have been rumours linking him with a move away from the Johan Cruyff Arena, with Barcelona keen on signing him, but he is likely to stay put.

Martinez was crucial to Ajax winning the league and cup double last season and could repeat the feat again this season.

Jurrien Timber

Few players have been as impressive as Jurrien Timber for Ajax this season and the academy graduate is enjoying his breakthrough campaign.

The centre-half has been seen as the next big thing to come out of the famed Ajax system, and his performances this season prove it.

He was impressive in the Champions League, despite Ajax’s relatively early exit, and has been labelled as a future talent for the Dutch national team as well.

Timber made his debut for Ajax under Ten Hag in 2020, and the coach believes the 20-year-old has the ability to play in multiple positions in the coming years.