AFC Ajax have announced through their official X handle that Oscar García will immediately take over as first-team manager. Softfootball understands that Garcia will replace Fred Grim following a difficult run of results in the Eredivisie.
Ajax revealed:
Oscar García will take over Fred Grim’s duties. The head coach of Jong Ajax will, with immediate effect, take charge of Ajax’s first team. Grim will return to his role within the Ajax academy.
The decision was confirmed today, with Grim returning to a role within the club’s academy setup.
Ajax currently sit 17th in the league standings, deep in the relegation battle after a 1–1 draw against PEC Zwolle on March 7, which extended their winless run in the league to four matches.
The Amsterdam club is enduring one of the most challenging seasons in its modern history, prompting the board to make a swift coaching change in hopes of turning their campaign around before the end of the season.
García, a 52-year-old Spanish coach, arrives with notable international experience. He previously achieved success by winning the Israeli Premier League with Maccabi Tel Aviv and had been working with Ajax’s reserve side, Jong Ajax, since February.
Several members of his coaching staff will also step up to the senior team. Assistant coach Carlos García, goalkeeping coach Juan Pablo Colinas, and fitness coach Enrique Sanz will join him with the first team.
Meanwhile, Paul Nuijten will now lead Jong Ajax, with former Ajax player Urby Emanuelson joining the reserve side’s technical staff.
Fans have reacted with some welcoming García’s international experience while others question whether the change has come too late to rescue Ajax’s season.
Elsewhere, VfL Wolfsburg recently dismissed head coach Daniel Bauer, a decision that came only hours after sporting director Peter Christiansen was relieved of his duties amid their own relegation battle in the Bundesliga.
