Sven Mislintat, who previously worked for Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund, is set to join Ajax as their new technical director, ending the club’s year-long search for Marc Overmars’ successor.
Ajax’s year-long search ends
Ajax have finally found a new technical director in Sven Mislintat, ending their year-long search after Marc Overmars’ departure in February 2022.
According to the German Sky Sports, Mislintat and Ajax have reached an agreement, with only signatures pending to make the deal official.
Mislintat’s extensive experience
The 50-year-old German has significant experience in the football world, having previously worked with Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund.
Mislintat failed to agree on a contract extension with VfB Stuttgart last December and has been seeking new opportunities since then.
Ajax’s lengthy search
Ajax have been looking for a new technical director since Overmars left in February 2022 due to ‘inappropriate behaviour towards female colleagues’.
The club’s search included negotiations with AZ’s Alex Kroes and Liverpool’s sporting director Julian Ward, but neither resulted in an agreement.
Jan van Halst appointed as technical commissioner
Ajax’s restructuring also includes the appointment of Jan van Halst as the technical commissioner.
Initially, Danny Blind was expected to resume his role after the World Cup in Qatar, but the former player decided against it.
Bringing clarity and stability
The appointments of Sven Mislintat and Jan van Halst bring much-needed clarity and stability to Ajax, as called for by John Heitinga.
With these key positions filled, the club can now focus on team composition and future plans.
Diamond eyes
Sven Mislintat, Arsenal’s former Head of Recruitment, has a reputation for identifying and signing top talent.
He joined Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund, but his time at the North London club was short-lived due to a period of upheaval, personality clashes, and allegations of broken promises.
Mislintat signed eight players for Arsenal, but the club ultimately suffered a £103 million loss, with Aubameyang’s transfer to Barcelona for free being the most significant.
After leaving Arsenal, Mislintat joined VfB Stuttgart as Sporting Director on a three-year contract.
He declined a contract extension after its expiration, and Stuttgart replaced him with Fabian Wohlgemuth.
It was initially reported that Mislintat wanted to return to the Premier League after his departure from Arsenal.
Liverpool’s current Sporting Director, Julian Ward, is set to leave the club at the end of the season, and Mislintat was rumoured to be interested in replacing him. If he had’ve joined Liverpool, he would have reunited with Jurgen Klopp, whom he worked with at Dortmund before Klopp moved to the Merseyside club.