# Ajax football club squad rebuilding

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ajax-football-club-squad-rebuilding
> Updated: 2026-08-28T19:15:00.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2.

Following a successful tenure at Girona, manager Míchel Sánchez has begun a squad rebuilding process at Ajax. Technical director Jordi Cruijff has implemented a strategy of securing major signings, including Julian Brandt and Marc ter Stegen, alongside players like Marcos Leonardo and Tolu Arokodare, to address roster gaps and manage the wage budget.

As the rebuilding progresses, Sánchez has faced criticism from former Ajax striker Wim Kieft regarding his management of individual players. Specifically, Kieft questioned Sánchez’s decision to publicly encourage Marcos Leonardo on the pitch during a match against FC Sion, after the striker missed several scoring opportunities. Leonardo, who joined the club for nearly twenty million euros, continues to face pressure as he adjusts to the team.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-28: Ajax manager Míchel Sánchez criticized over public support of Marcos Leonardo

Wim Kieft advises Ajax manager Míchel Sánchez to keep private conversations with struggling striker Marcos Leonardo in the locker room rather than on the pitch.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ajax-manager-mchel-snchez-criticized-over-public-support-of-marcos-leonardo

### 2026-08-22: Míchel Sánchez leads Ajax squad rebuilding following Girona success

Míchel Sánchez brings his transformative coaching reputation to Ajax, where technical director Jordi Cruijff manages a complex squad rebuilding process through aggressive transfers.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mchel-snchez-leads-ajax-squad-rebuilding-following-girona-success

---
Cite as: Ajax football club squad rebuilding. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ajax-football-club-squad-rebuilding