Ajax’s new coach is not British James Ward, but 50-year-old German Sven Mislintat. This raised some eyebrows. Because who is this man who is known for his talent but also failed as head scout at Arsenal FC and left Borussia Dortmund after a disagreement?
“He always stays calm, very open and honest, and not at all arrogant,” says Bild reporter Jörg Weiler of Mislintat’s character. “He is a real family man as a person. His biggest love is windsurfing. The Netherlands is a good destination for that.”
Weiler has been following Ajax’s new manager for a long time. The diamond eye is known for his gifted eye, spoke of during his time in Dortmund and most recently Stuttgart. According to him Mislintat is very accessible. “He is very open with the media, he says everything as it is.”
‘it would be very good’
Weiler praises Mislintat and thinks Ajax made a good move. “He’s a good scout and a good coach. Just like in Dortmund, it will take many valuable players. It will be perfect.”
Still, even in Germany, people were surprised that the scout of players like Shinji Kagawa, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Ousmane Dembélé, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Robert Lewandowski now takes the ultimate responsibility in Amsterdam. Also for being unemployed after leaving as coach at low-flying Stuttgart in November 2022.
Mislintat’s honesty and sincerity got in the way a few times. In January 2016, he had a conflict with then-manager Thomas Tuchel in Dortmund because he did not want to win over Spanish football player Oliver Torres.
The coach broke the deal at the last minute. “Tuchel did this half an hour before this actor got off the plane,” Weiler said. Mislintat thought you couldn’t do that and let it be known.”
Tuchel later banned the scout from entering the training area, traveling with the team, and making contact with players. However, he stayed at the club for about two years.
“A good start is very important”
He moved to Arsenal FC as lead observer at the end of 2017. He was not particularly successful there. A year later, the transfer balance suffered a loss of more than 100 million euros and the sporting successes were disappointing. He left the club after more than a year due to a disagreement with the new coach.
Weiler says it’s a typical Mislintat. “If he lacks confidence or disagrees with someone, it shows, even if the other person doesn’t like it.” He admits that sometimes it means the end of his job. “If it doesn’t work, he leaves.”
He also did not agree with the decisions taken in Stuttgart and therefore chose not to renew his contract. Therefore, his contract, which lasted until the summer of this year, was terminated in November. At that time Stuttgart was in the sixteenth place, now the team is in the last place.
A good start is crucial in Ajax, according to Weiler. Then you avoid highlighting other things like your lack of experience as a top player.
Mislintat was promoted to the third German division at SV Holzwickede, but this is very different from the international career of his predecessor, Marc Overmars. Failing as a football player in Stuttgart also bothered him.
“If the emphasis is always on his mediocre football career, that gets in the way,” Weiler says.
Sometimes what gets in your way is its looks. Sometimes dismissed as “hippie” or “surfer”. But Weiler doesn’t just trade his long mane and sweater. “He doesn’t suddenly go to the hairdresser or wear a tuxedo for Ajax. Her long hair only becomes a problem if people make it a problem.”
Connect with Bosz
So a good start can help Mislintat. One of his most important tasks is to create a coaching staff for the upcoming season. The name Peter Bosz has been spoken in Amsterdam for a long time. And this has to be a man Mislintat has a good relationship with. Bosz confirmed to Studio Voetbal on Sunday that Mislintat had previously approached him about a position in Stuttgart.
The two worked together at Borussia Dortmund shortly before Mislintat moved to Arsenal. Bosz has made it clear that he hasn’t been summoned yet. “But if Ajax calls, I’ll talk.” This call could be coming from the diamond-eyed surfer boy.
Source: NOS
I’m George Gonzalez, a professional journalist and author at The Nation View. With more than 5 years of experience in the field, I specialize in covering sports news for various print media outlets. My passion for writing has enabled me to craft stories that capture the attention of readers all over the world.
