Michael Valkanis will step in as head coach of Dutch giants Ajax for the next two games making him the sixth coach to take charge of the side in 2023.
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Valkanis to take over at Ajax for two gamesVan't Schip unavailable due to son's weddingValkanis becomes Ajax's sixth coach of the yearGettyWHAT HAPPENED?
The Australian is currently the assistant to full-time Ajax coach John Van’t Schip but will take over the duties as Van't Schip is currently in Australia for his son's wedding. The temporary change in leadership at the club has made Valkanis the sixth manager to take charge of the club in 2023.
AdvertisementGettyTHE EXPLANATION
The change makes him the sixth manager to take charge after Alfred Screuder, John Heitinga, Maurice Steijn, Hedwiges Maduro and John Van't Schip. The Dutch giants have gone through a rut of bad performance and multiple coaches but look to have finally found a good pair for themselves with Van't Schip and Valkanis, who have led them to five straight wins in the league.
WHAT VALKANIS SAID
Valkanis said while talking to club media [KeepUp]: "It is an honour to have this role for a while, we will continue to do the work we have put in since day one."
"I am very passionate and love teams that play attacking football. I am very competitive in my own right and I want the teams I am involved to have that too and take to the field to win."
"Football means everything to me. I played it from an early age and then immediately got into coaching."
WHAT NEXT FOR VALKANIS?
With Van’t Schip away, the Aussie will take the reins for their next two matches against Zwolle on Sunday, December 17 and USV Hercules in the KNVB Cup on Thursday, December 21.