Ajax is a club renowned for producing talented soccer players at its "De Toekomst" (or "the future") youth academy.
Ajax is a club renowned for producing talented soccer players at its "De Toekomst" (or "the future") youth academy.
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Ajax has won the European Cup four times, but its relatively small budget in comparison to Europe's other leading clubs, means a key part of its strategy is to develop young talented players that will be then be sold.
Ajax has won the European Cup four times, but its relatively small budget in comparison to Europe's other leading clubs, means a key part of its strategy is to develop young talented players that will be then be sold.
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Now as well as developing players' skills on the pitch, the club's aspiring pros can now receive education at a dedicated school. Here the new building school building is officially opened by Ajax marketing director Edwin Van der Sar (second left), who was a former goalkeeper of the Dutch club, as well as Juventus and Manchester United.
Now as well as developing players' skills on the pitch, the club's aspiring pros can now receive education at a dedicated school. Here the new building school building is officially opened by Ajax marketing director Edwin Van der Sar (second left), who was a former goalkeeper of the Dutch club, as well as Juventus and Manchester United.
Steve Lawrence
"The focus of the Ajax School is the players' 'kitchen' -- which is both teaching space and congregating space," said Steven Lawrence, an advisor to Ajax. If young players fail to make the grade on the pitch, they will always be able to fall back on the diploma they earn from the school.
"The focus of the Ajax School is the players' 'kitchen' -- which is both teaching space and congregating space," said Steven Lawrence, an advisor to Ajax. If young players fail to make the grade on the pitch, they will always be able to fall back on the diploma they earn from the school.
Steven Lawrence
The training ground complex comprises nine football fields and is located close to the Amsterdam ArenA. Its main field has seating capacity for 2,000 people.
The training ground complex comprises nine football fields and is located close to the Amsterdam ArenA. Its main field has seating capacity for 2,000 people.
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The club's groundbreaking philosophy of "Total Football" in 1970 was pioneered by legendary coach Rinus Michels, who guided the team to a European Cup win in 1971, before leaving to coach Barcelona. Under new coach Stefan Kovacs, Ajax also won the European Cup in 1972 and 1973.
The club's groundbreaking philosophy of "Total Football" in 1970 was pioneered by legendary coach Rinus Michels, who guided the team to a European Cup win in 1971, before leaving to coach Barcelona. Under new coach Stefan Kovacs, Ajax also won the European Cup in 1972 and 1973.
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Johan Cruyff is arguably the greatest player produced by Ajax and the three-time Ballon d'Or winner epitomized the idea of "Total Football."
Johan Cruyff is arguably the greatest player produced by Ajax and the three-time Ballon d'Or winner epitomized the idea of "Total Football."
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The 1973 Ajax European Cup team poses for a photograph. Front row left to right, Sjaak Swart, Johnny Rep, coach Stephan Kovacs, trainer Bob Haarms, Ger Kleton, Jan Mulder, Cruyff and Gerrie Muhren. Back row, left to right, Arie Haan, Horst Blankenburg, Sies Wever, Wim Suurbier, goalkeeper Heinz Stuy, Piet Keizer, Ruud Krol, Heinz Schilcher, Arnold Muhren, Johan Neeskens and Barry Hulshoff.
The 1973 Ajax European Cup team poses for a photograph. Front row left to right, Sjaak Swart, Johnny Rep, coach Stephan Kovacs, trainer Bob Haarms, Ger Kleton, Jan Mulder, Cruyff and Gerrie Muhren. Back row, left to right, Arie Haan, Horst Blankenburg, Sies Wever, Wim Suurbier, goalkeeper Heinz Stuy, Piet Keizer, Ruud Krol, Heinz Schilcher, Arnold Muhren, Johan Neeskens and Barry Hulshoff.
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Cruyff (picture center front row) then joined Barcelona from Ajax. The Dutchman went on to coach the Catalan club and is widely credited with helping instil the importance of youth development at Barcelona.
Cruyff (picture center front row) then joined Barcelona from Ajax. The Dutchman went on to coach the Catalan club and is widely credited with helping instil the importance of youth development at Barcelona.
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Part of the young Ajax team that conquered European in 1995, goalkeeper Van Der Sar wanted to give something back to the club. He now works as the club's marketing director.
Part of the young Ajax team that conquered European in 1995, goalkeeper Van Der Sar wanted to give something back to the club. He now works as the club's marketing director.
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The team Van der Sar played in won European club football's biggest prize -- the Champions League -- under Louis Van Gaal two decades ago. A 1-0 win over AC Milan was rich reward for a youthful team playing an exciting brand of attacking football. The average age of the team which took to the field in Vienna was 23. Patrick Kluivert (right) scored the decisive goal.
The team Van der Sar played in won European club football's biggest prize -- the Champions League -- under Louis Van Gaal two decades ago. A 1-0 win over AC Milan was rich reward for a youthful team playing an exciting brand of attacking football. The average age of the team which took to the field in Vienna was 23. Patrick Kluivert (right) scored the decisive goal.
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Van Gaal, now Manchester United manager, is pictured holding aloft the European Cup.
Van Gaal, now Manchester United manager, is pictured holding aloft the European Cup.
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If the club now struggles to compete with Europe's elite teams it remains al a powerful force in the Dutch league. Under the guidance of Frank de Boer, a veteran of the '95 team, it continues to win domestic titles.
If the club now struggles to compete with Europe's elite teams it remains al a powerful force in the Dutch league. Under the guidance of Frank de Boer, a veteran of the '95 team, it continues to win domestic titles.
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Alongside De Boer is another member of the class of '95. Dennis Bergkamp was a product of Ajax's youth academy who made the move abroad -- to Inter Milan. After a difficult time in Italy, Bergkamp joined Arsenal and excelled. Now assistant manager to De Boer, Bergkamp is renowned and revered as one of Arsenal's greatest ever players.
Alongside De Boer is another member of the class of '95. Dennis Bergkamp was a product of Ajax's youth academy who made the move abroad -- to Inter Milan. After a difficult time in Italy, Bergkamp joined Arsenal and excelled. Now assistant manager to De Boer, Bergkamp is renowned and revered as one of Arsenal's greatest ever players.
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Belgium's Jan Vertonghen made his debut for Dutch champions Ajax in 2006. Before moving to English Premier League club Spurs, the Belgian studied sport marketing at the Johan Cruyff University in between his training and matches.
Belgium's Jan Vertonghen made his debut for Dutch champions Ajax in 2006. Before moving to English Premier League club Spurs, the Belgian studied sport marketing at the Johan Cruyff University in between his training and matches.
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The school over looks the first-team training pitch and the club's stadium, the Amsterdam Arena -- inspiring a new generation to emulate their heroes.
The school over looks the first-team training pitch and the club's stadium, the Amsterdam Arena -- inspiring a new generation to emulate their heroes.
Steven Lawrence
Ajax play their home games at the Amsterdam ArenA.
Ajax play their home games at the Amsterdam ArenA.
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Given the Netherlands' exit from Euro 2016, perhaps the Dutch will be hoping that Ajax's school might play a part in reviving the fortunes of their national team.
Given the Netherlands' exit from Euro 2016, perhaps the Dutch will be hoping that Ajax's school might play a part in reviving the fortunes of their national team.
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