Ajax manager Francesco Farioli hints at his future at the club ahead of possible title

Ajax manager Francesco Farioli refused to answer questions about his future at the club in his pre-match press conference for the potentially title-winning game against NEC Nijmegen on Sunday. “That is not a subject for now,” the Italian manager said. Rumors have recently linked the 36-year-old with a move to Italian club AS Roma. “My thoughts are with the here and now. I have my wishes and my desires, and they are clear. The focus is completely on the games in the next week.”

The Italian manager confirmed that he has spoken with the club’s general manager, Alex Kroes, about next season. “But right now, all focus is on finishing this season,” he said. “We are almost there, we have not yet confirmed our qualification for the main stage of the Champions League.”

Farioli is under contract for two more years at Ajax. His target when taking the manager position at the start of the season was to ensure that Ajax returned to the UEFA Champions League. Ajax only needs one more point from its last three games against NEC, FC Groningen, and FC Twente to confirm their spot in the main stage of the highest European competition.

The Amsterdam club will win the Eredivisie title if they win two out of their last three games. The club can already celebrate the title if they beat NEC and PSV lose to Ajax's arch-rivals Feyenoord in Rotterdam on Sunday.

Despite this prospect, Farioli said that he does not feel more pressure as he felt the pressure for him was more in trying to qualify for the Champions League with the club. Ajax have already confirmed at least a qualifying spot for the UEFA Champions League for next season.

Farioli has not spoken about the league title this season. “But we do not live in a bubble. We can only influence the game against NEC.”

Ajax has been faltering lately. The Amsterdammers dropped five points in the last two games with a 4-0 loss against FC Utrecht and a 1-1 draw against Sparta Rotterdam. “However, my players have already delivered an extraordinary performance,” said Farioli.

This season has marked a significant improvement for Ajax. The club with the most championships in the Netherlands finished fifth last season in the Eredivisie, with a club record of 61 goals conceded. Many players at the club were not fit enough, and there was a lack of a budget for new signings after a string of failed transfers by the former Director of Football, Sven Mislintat.

A run of very poor results from the reigning champions PSV after the winter break has helped Ajax get to within touching distance of the championship. The municipality has said that they expect they will need four days to organize a party on the Museumplein in the case that Ajax wins the title.

“Of course, people at the club are busy with all kinds of protocols and preparations,” Farioli admitted. It has been reported that the Italian will likely give Remko Pasveer and Wout Weghorst a starting place for the game on Sunday. “But we need to focus on the remaining games and enjoy it.”

PSV face Heracles Almelo and Sparta Rotterdam after the game against Feyenoord on Sunday.