According to Diario Sport, Michel has taken over as Ajax head coach, and the club plans to rebuild the squad around him, with Marc-André Ter Stegen seen as a target for the goalkeeper position.

Ajax is confident in Michel Sánchez, and they have every reason to be. The Madrid native has taken on a challenging yet exciting task: to awaken the sleeping giant and restore the team to its rightful place. Supported by Jordi Cruyff, he aligns with Ajax's values and football philosophy. Jordi Cruyff is the son of legendary Johan Cruyff and the current technical director of Ajax.

Cruyff said of the former Girona coach: "I know him well and have followed him for many years. His philosophy fits Ajax. The fact that he worked for five seasons at the same La Liga club speaks volumes about his ability and loyalty."

The technical director is working alongside Michel to implement a significant squad overhaul, with over twenty players currently on the transfer list. Michel has already led his first training session at the De Toekomst training ground. Ajax also confirmed: "The Ajax first-team coaching staff has been finalized."

The club elaborated: "As previously announced, Michel Sánchez has been appointed as the new head coach of Ajax. He will be assisted by Juanvi Peinado Fernández and Alberto Garrido Martínez, while Carlos Balaguer Zamora has been appointed as the goalkeeper coach."

Days earlier, Ajax confirmed the departure of Óscar García Junyent, who will take on the role of head of physical performance for the first team at Polish club Pogoń Szczecin. Previously, he had temporarily taken over the Ajax first team since March. The coach from Sabadell arrived at Ajax in early February, originally serving as reserve team coach and overseeing youth academy management. After being promoted to the first team, he became the first Spanish head coach in Ajax's history. Now, Michel has taken over his position.

As mentioned, Ajax's plan is to build an ambitious project around Michel. The goalkeeper position is one of the priority areas for reinforcement, and Ajax's biggest ambition is to sign Marc-André Ter Stegen. Michel is eager to coach the Barcelona player again, as Ter Stegen suffered an unfortunate knee injury, ending his season prematurely and costing him a chance to play in the World Cup.

Ter Stegen's contract with Barcelona runs until 2028, and he is well aware that he is not in Hansi Flick's plans. The idea from all parties is to find a solution that satisfies everyone. Ter Stegen has given his approval, but his salary is the main obstacle to the deal. Barcelona might replicate the Girona model: a loan with an obligation to buy. Michel wants Ter Stegen at Ajax.

On the other hand, Daley Blind is close to returning to his beloved club. As Sport reported, Ajax had tried to bring him back last summer, but Girona was unwilling to let him go without a convincing offer. A few months later, Ajax contacted him again in the winter transfer window, but Blind insisted on fulfilling his commitment to the Catalan club. All signs indicate that a reunion should happen this summer when his contract expires.

One confirmed signing is Álvaro Montserrat. This left-footed attacking midfielder came through the Real Zaragoza youth academy and joined Atlético Madrid's youth setup. After signing in January 2024, he won the UEFA Youth League and UEFA Youth Cup with Atlético Madrid's youth team and made his first-team debut under Diego Simeone. Notably, he was among the academy players to make their debut this season.

Montserrat's departure from Zaragoza caused some controversy, and he did not secure regular playing time in Atlético Madrid's youth team this season. According to Matteo Moretto, his transfer has been completed, and he will sign a four-year contract.

He will be Ajax's second signing for the 2025-2026 season, the first being Fouad Zahouani from Touarga Union Sportive. This 20-year-old defender will begin his career with Ajax's youth academy in the Netherlands, where he will develop before aiming for the first team. He is a product of the Mohammed VI Football Academy, one of Morocco's main youth development centers, and was included in the squad that won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2023.

Currently confirmed departures include Chuba Akpom, who joined Ipswich; Bosnich Mansweller, who joined Sparta Prague; while Takehiro Tomiyasu, Wout Weghorst, and Oleksandr Zinchenko currently have no new clubs.

On Thursday, Michel welcomed his new squad at the De Toekomst training ground and conducted initial fitness tests. On Friday, the team held its first joint training session. On a day when the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute issued a red alert for extreme heat, Ajax held its first training session in Amsterdam. Michel participated, gathering the players for a welcome address and joining in a rondo drill, just as he did at Girona.

The Madrid coach has less than a month to prepare the team for the first major test of the season: the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League. Ajax will face either Vojvodina of Serbia or Ferencváros of Hungary on July 23.

Ajax's first preseason match will be against Panathinaikos on Saturday, July 5. On July 10, AEK Larnaca will visit; on July 15, Ajax will play against VfL Bochum; on July 18 against Olympiacos. After the first leg of the Europa Conference League qualifiers, Ajax will host Burnley at the Johan Cruyff Arena on July 26. On July 30, the team will participate in the second leg of that knockout round.

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