'That’s Not True!': Alex Kroes Responds to Claims About Farioli’s Departure
Alex Kroes has openly addressed speculation surrounding his relationship with Francesco Farioli, firmly rejecting claims that tension between them led to the Italian’s departure from Ajax.
Alex Kroes addresses rumors surrounding Francesco Farioli’s Ajax exit, defending their relationship and revealing the real reasons behind the manager’s departure.
Speaking during an interview with Kale & Kokkie, the former Ajax technical director reflected on what he described as a widely praised campaign under Farioli. While acknowledging the success of that season, Kroes emphasized that his respect for the manager remains unchanged.
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He revealed that the two are still in close contact, having recently held an extended conversation. Kroes also mentioned plans to travel to Porto, where Farioli has been working since leaving Ajax and is currently on track to secure the Portuguese league title.
Kroes dismissed suggestions that their relationship had deteriorated, expressing frustration at narratives portraying them as being in conflict. He strongly denied any responsibility for Farioli’s exit, insisting such claims are inaccurate.
The former director also pointed out what he sees as a broader issue in Dutch football, stating that foreign coaches often face unfair treatment. According to Kroes, criticism of Farioli’s playing style came from multiple directions throughout the season, both internally and externally.
He admitted misjudging how much of that criticism affected the Italian coach. Kroes had initially believed that a foreign coaching staff might be less aware of external pressures, but later realized that assumption was incorrect.
Farioli’s decision to leave, Kroes explained, was not due to dissatisfaction. Instead, the coach was concerned about Ajax’s financial situation and the difficulty of maintaining the same level of success. There were fears that key players, including Brian Brobbey and Kenneth Taylor, could depart, making it harder to replicate results.
According to Kroes, Farioli even predicted a challenging future, suggesting he might face dismissal within months if expectations were not met. The Italian viewed the situation pragmatically, concluding that repeating his achievements would be unlikely.
Kroes also touched on operational challenges behind the scenes. Farioli had aimed to introduce higher levels of professionalization, but progress proved slower than expected. Administrative procedures and Dutch regulations complicated staffing changes, particularly during a period when Ajax was undergoing significant cost-cutting measures, resulting in numerous layoffs.
Delays in hiring further added to the frustration. Even when new appointments were made, contractual notice periods meant immediate changes were impossible—something Farioli found difficult to understand.
Ultimately, Kroes portrayed the departure as a calculated decision by Farioli, driven by practical concerns rather than conflict, despite ongoing speculation suggesting otherwise.
