Ajax captain Dusan Tadic experienced yet another disappointment of the season on Thursday. The 1-1 draw against FC Volendam meant the end of Alfred Schreuder. Captain Dusan Tadic gave an explanation to the media present on the parking deck of the Johan Cruijff Arena at midnight.
“I am ashamed and feel responsible for the coach’s dismissal,” said Tadic. “All players must feel that, because we failed on the field. Not winning for the umpteenth time this season, that cannot and should not happen at Ajax. Then the trainer is automatically looked at, that’s how it works in football, but I think we should all look in the mirror as players. Come on, not winning again in the Eredivisie, at home against FC Volendam. Whoever the trainer is, even if we didn’t have a trainer, you still have to win that match.”
Tadic reveals the manner in which Schreuder was fired
Tadic came into the dressing room after the match and met Edwin van der Sar there. The general manager informed the group of players that Ajax would immediately continue without Alfred Schreuder. Not much later, the fired trainer came in to say goodbye. “He addressed the group in a very dignified manner. He thanked us for the cooperation, wished us good luck and said that we must do everything we can to become champions. We were silent as players, but of course we feel guilty. We are too, because we have failed too often,” Tadic remarked.
This resulted in many conversations in the past period. “We sat around the table in all sorts of formations. Short conversations, long conversations, you name it. But then it’s about delivering to the field. And we lacked that determination in the team. That can come back with a new trainer, but we still have to deal with the same selection. We lost thirteen players, and not only players on the field, but also characters. Players standing up, taking responsibility. Not only when things are going well, but also in the event of adversity. Especially in case of adversity,” the midfielder said.
What kind of trainer should come to Ajax now? Tadic hasn’t thought about it yet, “The first thing I could say is a strong personality. But we keep the same squad. We play shit. Ajax is fifth, that should never happen. As players, we need to get on with it. Don’t point fingers at each other, but look at yourself and do everything to bring about the turnaround at Ajax.”
