Showing posts with label Fabio Capello. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fabio Capello. Show all posts

Friday, March 20, 2026

Ajax 95: The Young Team That Shocked Europe

AAjax 1995 animated illustration by Omar Momani

In 1995, a young team from Amsterdam did the impossible.

They defeated the strongest team in the world, lifted the Champions League, and changed European football forever.

This was Ajax 1995 — a generation that proved talent, discipline, and vision could overcome even the greatest giants.

🎬 Watch the full animated documentary below:




🧠 The Philosophy Behind Ajax 95

Behind this project stood Louis van Gaal — often described as the “Iron Tulip.”

While influenced by Johan Cruyff, Van Gaal believed in structure over freedom.

Every player had a role.
Every movement was part of a system.

And that system created one of the most disciplined young teams in football history.


🌍 A Generation of Future Legends

Ajax 95 was built on youth — but not just any youth.

The team included players who would go on to become global icons:

  • Clarence Seedorf

  • Edgar Davids

  • Patrick Kluivert

  • Edwin van der Sar

  • Jari Litmanen

Many of them came from Surinamese roots — reflecting the multicultural identity of Amsterdam.

Ajax even finished the Dutch league unbeaten.

This was no coincidence.
This was a machine.


🏆 The Night That Changed Everything

In the Champions League final, Ajax faced AC Milan — the most powerful team in the world.

With legends like Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini, Milan were expected to win.

But in the 85th minute…

Frank Rijkaard played the pass.

Patrick Kluivert finished it.

Ajax were champions of Europe.


Patrick Kluivert goal vs AC Milan 1995



⚖️ The Bosman Ruling and the Breakup

In 1995, the Bosman ruling changed football forever.

Players could now move freely across Europe.

For Ajax, it meant one thing:

They could no longer keep their stars.


🌍 Where Did the Players Go?

The Ajax generation spread across Europe:

  • Edgar Davids → Juventus legend

  • Clarence Seedorf → Champions League winner with 3 clubs

  • Marc Overmars → Arsenal & Barcelona

  • Nwankwo Kanu → Arsenal Invincibles

  • Jari Litmanen → Finland’s greatest icon

Meanwhile, Louis van Gaal recreated part of the project at Barcelona — what fans jokingly called “Dutchlona.”


🧭 Legacy of Ajax 95

Ajax 95 was not just a team.

It was a generation that changed football.

From Amsterdam to Turin, London, Madrid, and Barcelona — their influence was everywhere.


Ajax 1995 squad team photo


❓ Final Question

In a modern game dominated by money…

Can a team like Ajax 95 ever exist again?



Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Blanc rides in for PSG talks

Hold your horses! Paris Saint Germain's search for a replacement for Carlo Ancelotti could be over.

Former France boss Laurent Blanc looks set to be the man to occupy the saddle once, as expected, Ancelotti exits the Parc des Prances club and heads for the bright lights of Madrid.

After weeks of speculation it appears the finishing post is finally in sight for those anxious PSG supporters, with Blanc himself confirming that talks would get underway with the Ligue 1 champions on Monday. 

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Russia manager candidates get all dolled up

Following Dick Advocaat's resignation from his post as coach after Euro 2012, Russia have revealed their short-list for his replacement with some familiar names at the top of the list.

Pep Guardiola, Fabio Capello and Harry Redknapp have all been tipped to take over the job and take charge of the side that failed to make it out of their group in Poland and Ukraine.

One man, who seems to have ruled himself out of the running though is Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini after he signed a new deal with the Premier League champions, leaving the path clear for the other contenders.

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Hodgson takes England hot seat

 The Football Association confirmed the appointment of Roy Hodgson as the new England manager on Tuesday, giving the West Brom boss a few short weeks to assess and assemble a squad ahead of Euro 2012.
Hodgson gave the impression of a man undaunted by the task of winning over England fans and players, despite not being the favourite for the job prior to his appointment.

But plenty of coaches - popular or otherwise - have been burned by the England hot seat in the past. Will the former Fulham man still be relishing the role after a while on the throne?

Friday, February 10, 2012

Capello's managerial merry-go-round

Following Fabio Capello's shock departure as England manager on Wednesday, Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has immediately been installed as the favourite to take over from the Italian. And consequently, a managerial merry-go-round may well be set in motion, with Jose Mourinho now being linked with replacing Redknapp at White Hart Lane, Arsenal's Arsene Wenger being courted by Real Madrid and Capello rumoured to be whetting Inter's appetite. Football aye ...

And here are a few of your suggestions for #merrygoroundmanagers...

@amarjourno... "Redknapp to England, Moyes to Tottenham, Kean to Everton, Capello to Blackburn... #merrygoroundmanagers"

@aahmadaqib... "Avram Grant to England, Pulis to Afc, Guardiola to Stoke, Pope to mcfc."

@MVWXIV... "Redknapp to England. Mourinho to Spurs. Hiddink to Madrid. Steve Kean still at Blackburn."

@bunzez... "Redknapp to England, Wenger to Madrid, Mourinho to Spurs, Guardiola to Arsenal, Capello to Juventus, AVB will stay."

@Dami_0620... "Fergie to stay, AVB to leave, Mourinho back to Chelsea, Guardiola to AFC, Wenger jobless for a year, Redknapp to stay at THFC."

Monday, February 6, 2012

Terry stripped of his precious England armband for the second time

John Terry's misdemeanors have cost him the one thing that he desires most, the England captaincy, as he is due to stand trial for allegedly racially abusing Anton Ferdinand earlier in the season. The Chelsea defender will be sure to do all in his power to regain his precious armband, though .

Capello takes matters into his own hands to resolve his Terry England dilemma

The news that John Terry will stand trial for allegedly racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand after Euro 2012 has sent England into a state of confusion, with question marks hovering above the Chelsea and England captain's participation in the tournament. However, this is not the first time Terry has complicated affairs for coach Fabio Capello, so it's possible the 65-year-old, known for his disciplinarian ways, may be forced to settle matters with a back-to-basics approach ..