Ajax reaches an agreement with Italian manager Francesco Farioli
Ajax seems to have found their new manager. The Italian manager, Francesco Farioli, seems all set to join the Amsterdam club from OGC Nice in France. Ajax has reached an agreement with the 35-year-old who will replace current interim manager John van 't Schip, De Telegraaf reported.
Reports say that Nice has asked Ajax for some patience regarding Farioli. The French club faces league champions Paris Saint Germain on Wednesday. A win would mean they can still qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League, which is something they want to focus on for now. If Farioli's side loses to Paris Saint Germain, then the French club will let the Italian sign a three-year contract.
Head of scouting Kelvin de Lang first contacted Farioli after the two preferred options, current Manchester United and former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag and English manager Graham Potter, proved unobtainable.
There were disagreements within the Ajax ranks regarding the choice of Farioli. Some felt a Dutch manager should be in charge of the Amsterdam club and were recommending either ex-Ajax manager Frank de Boer or Dick Schreuder. However, according to Algemeen Dagblad, technical director Alex Kroes and director of football Marijn Breuker felt that a foreign manager was the right choice.
Farioli began as a goalkeeper coach after studying philosophy and sports science at University. He is quite inexperienced as a manager, having managed just three clubs. He arrived at Nice after spells in charge of Turkish clubs Fatih Karagümrük and Alanyaspor.
